Duskfire Glacier across the universe

Malachi met Kaskara with a gentle smile and dipped his head in response to her bow. Being on the receiving end of such submission remained a foreign feeling, but he accepted the humility of each woman as best he could. "It's good to meet you. I'm Malachi." He paused, eyes passing thoughtfully between Bazi and Kaskara. He could think of little to ask in return for caring for the ivory queen; in truth, he had never thought their help anything out of the ordinary. Though he knew little of Swiftcurrent Creek, he knew enough to assume their packs stood on good terms. The Glacier had given up a portion of their prey so that Bazi could live, but to Malachi that had been a necessary sacrifice to ensure the woman's survival.

Malachi caught Danica's movement in his peripheral before refocusing his gaze on Bazi. "All I ask is that you do the same for us if one of our members needs your help, as you needed ours now." There was a possibility that day would never come, but to have the assurance they had an ally in Swiftcurrent was of great value to the youth.

He eyed Bazi before sweeping his gaze across the other wolves gathered there. He sensed a tension brewing, mostly from the male of the group, but he did not let the discomfort unsettle him. He turned his gaze back to Kaskara. He had caught Bazi's quiet words, and though he thought her in no condition to travel yet, the decision now would be up to the envoy from the Creek. "You may stay here as long it takes for Bazi to recover, and help us stock our caches while you wait." He did not know if this was a wise decision, with the onset of winter and the dwindling resources, but he took these wolves to be honest ones and trusted they would use the land as visitors with sound judgment. If he saw or heard of exploitation, he would deal with the matter then.