Stone Circle What can break me has a name

Next round! No posting order :)

There were a great many details to take into consideration with the conversation that Skáld opened, and he would find out soon enough. He knew the conversation might open a can of worms, but he probably should have realized that in putting leadership accessible to all, he was opening up a can of very live, wriggling worms. 

With each interjection, the look of concern on his face grew. He was eager to hear each volunteer, taking note not only of their words but their tone of voice. From the children there was no shortage of willingness, though they grasped for something he thought perhaps that they did not fully comprehend. Few them seemed cautioned or discouraged by what they had seen their previous leaders go through.

And from the adults came either silence (which he figured was acceptance) or, in Moss's case, scorn. He wondered if he should ask Moss which adult had stepped up while he had been missing- but thought better of it. It wasn't worth opening an additional can of worms.

"This land is belonging to-" He gestured with a sweeping motion of one paw. "All of us. I am born here. Moss, Vale, Bjorn not born here- but: here, is both our home. Gunnar, Tauris, Figment- all not born here either, but this is home, and will be home, for all who live here. Now, and tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow." He hoped with this statement to dismiss that any wolf should have precedence over another simply because of their birthplace. He didn't want to discredit the value of those who had not been born on the land. They were just as important to the pack's well-being. 

"We need more than one leader. Does not must be children," He said, offering a glance to Moss, so he would be assured that this wasn't a role offered only to the young. "But leader must both want, and be wanted. They-" He gestured to the Huni, with the first spark of a smile that had finally made its way to his lips since the complicated discussion had begun, "Want." 

Leadership had been something passed on, or accepted by those who took on the role from ailing hands. Now, it was something to be seized by those who could blaze forth with it and weather its burn. 

The other adults, the ones who were most likely to understand the nuances of the roles, had not stepped forward. Skáld in took what he had seen, and felt that the instinct to lead was enough; the rest could be learned. 

He looked to them, to think through which among them had spoken only for themselves, and which had mentioned others as well. He weighed their confidences and their willingness to cooperate. He was the authority, at the moment, but at the same time found himself floundering with the idea that he might be called upon to make a decision. That was why this had begun as a conversation, in the first place. 

Perhaps it was best to narrow things down. 

"We sort Anda in a moment. If I say Ujurak as Hjarta, Astrid as Nornir." He proclaimed, though there was an air of questioning to his tone. "Any strong disagree?"

The two would have to weather more than light disappointment if they hoped to be leaders. They would have to withstand criticism, questioning, and doubt.