Redsand Canyon Out of Sync

Germanicus and Kallik were "quite reserved?" That sounded about right. Ruenna smiled in understanding. 

Malila mentioned that she had not yet broken her fast, and so the group moved off toward the nearest cache. Once it was open, Ruenna would indicate to Malila to take whatever meal appealed to her.  

The girl had struggled to settle down in strange quarters... that was unsurprising, especially with how young she appeared to be. Germanicus and Kallik were unlikely to have made much of an effort to ensure her comfort. 

"Tamar is in charge of housekeeping; she can help you obtain some necessities, so you can be comfortable." Or Malila could always bunk with Aquene, but Ruenna would not offer this option without checking with Aquene first. Some wolves preferred to keep their space solitary, and whatever Aquene wanted, Aquene would get. She was that important to Mereo. 

It was as Ruenna feared. Malila was mostly untrained, other than some exposure to herbs and medicine. This would need to change, and quickly. "You will need to learn, to stay in Mereo." It was not just about being wanting or willing. It might be time for a harsh does of reality, for both of the plebians. 

"It was never the intention for Mereo to have civilians at all. The civilian ranks were devised after most of the soldiers were recruited, and it's clear to me that some feel the addition was not for the better. We need to change their minds, to assure our security here." And those minds would not be changed if one or more of the civilians were not pulling their own weight. 

"There are two paths in Mereo. You can be a soldier, or you can be a wife. Aquene is the only exception." Aquene may have been the exception, but even she would likely find herself walking down one road or the other. Perhaps both. 

"If you wish to stay, Malila, you will need to become one or the other. Either find a way to convince Germanicus to accept you as auxilia, or convince a soldier to accept you as a wife. I can give you until the spring thaw." Three months was a short time to make a decision and accomplish either task, but Ruenna felt her paws were tied, from a political standpoint. "In the meantime, I would like you to apprentice to Aquene, if she is in agreement." Ruenna looked to Aquene.