Dragoncrest Cliffs Let it smoulder

Cherub’s Wing of Honor showed up promptly for her first pack meeting. She could not put a name to most of the faces there, but she owed a life debt to Sapphique – to Mireille and Erzulie – and she was determined to serve.

Though her membership was just a few days old, it had been easy enough for her to detect a rising tension among the others even as she recovered. The girl had learned of the two den-ridden boys before this, and now there was a third, having shown up on the borders much like herself, but in a far more grievous condition. A bear was the culprit, the news of which brought a faint restlessness to her paws as she sat amongst the crowd of Sapphique’s ranks.

She fidgeted in place.

Two options seemed to lie ahead: lead it away or leave it alone. Wing swallowed hard – no, no, no – she did not believe either of those to be the way. She was nervous to speak but silence was not an option. Not when lives were at stake. If I may, she addressed the meet. Many of you have not met me, but my name is Cherub’s Wing of Honor. The Isle of my birth gave us many bears to contend with. They can be difficult to trick, and they don’t tend to give chase long enough to be led anywhere far. Since this bear has already attacked others, then it must be shown our might if we’re to be rid of it.

A steadying breath, a quick glance around to the eyes that had fallen upon her. Some bears can be negotiated with, talked down from their violence towards us. We show strength, but vow to leave them be as long as it stays away… Though it’s more likely that this one cannot be reasoned with. We should shepherd it away instead. We’re faster and more tireless. We take turns, we take shifts, and we harry the beast while keeping our distance until it is driven away.

The young granite stopped and looked around, wondering if any of those present would agree with the ways of her homeland or if they all were too fainthearted to take such a risk, especially for the first time.