Redhawk Caldera triduana

for @Towhee/@Ruenna/@Fennec!

eventually the ranger's long strides led him from the hinterlands. the forest of the elk now far behind him, germanicus travelled swiftly in the direction of a lake, and the dip of rolling land beyond.

here, the scent of many others, but absent the mark of a guardian male. he was still for a long moment.

please meet me in your own time, the genteel note rang out, the toll of a world-weary bell.

he looked for @Crowfeather now. "you honor the lord of the lands through which you seek to pass."

it was all the explanation germanicus would give.

They traveled on. The dark shadow remained close to the silver leader, almost afraid that if he should step away for even a moment, Germanicus might vanish. 

The world had been cruel to Crowfeather before. He was not foolish enough to think it wouldn't again. 

Germanicus' voice, a summon to their leaders, drew the dark wolf's ears upward. When the silver male stated that honor was to be given to those who ruled there, Crowfeather nodded solemnly. 

Yes, Germanicus.

Going to pp @Āzonn in the background, since Rue wouldn't approach two strangers at the border alone. Feel free to join if you would like!

Ruenna intercepted Āzon while they were both on their way to meet the caller, and they continued on toward the border together. Once the strangers were in sight, Ruenna pressed forward down the hill to meet them while Āzon hung back. 

It took her some time to come into speaking distance, since downhill was hardest on her back, and each step twinged painfully up the base of her spine. With the exception of an involuntary wince every now and then, she did her best to wear a friendly expression as she approached. 

"Hello. You've found the border of Redhawk Caldera," she informed them in an upbeat voice despite being a bit breathless. "I'm Ruenna Redfern, a Regent here, and second to Towhee Redhawk, the Sovereign." She looked between the pair expectantly, wearing a curious and good-natured expression.

soon, a woman arrived, with a clear limp that germanicus saw had delayed her. in the backdrop, a cloud-white figure followed. a guard.

germanicus drew himself into the proper stiff stance of his attendance's respect. "hail, regent ruenna redfern of redhawk caldera, second to towhee redhawk, sovereign of redhawk caldera." the hushflower gaze was bemused when he had repeated her titles, a reflection of her own affable nature.

"i am germanicus julius caesar. this is crowfeather. we are auxilia who mean to make your lake a stopping-point for a week's time. during these days, i intend to train him as a cohort."

he was not unaware that ruenna's features did not match the expression of her eyes, nor the limp that plagued her, though he mostly kept his own gaze trained ahead and respectfully.

"in return for the lake's respite, we will perform whatever tasks the caldera requests. none are too menial."

Redhawk Caldera, the dark wolf thought to himself. His eyes shifted to the ground nervously. 

You are supposed to make him proud. Do not give him a reason to turn you away now. 

Steadying himself and putting on a large-eyed but firm expression, he looked back to Ruenna. Germanicus had remembered everything she had said. He had repeated it with respect and care, leaving out no trace of her titles or their sovereign's. Crowfeather already barely remembered the name of the place or the woman who had greeted them. They spoke in such a different way. 

Germanicus went on to say that they were seeking the lake on the other side to spend some time training. Crowfeather felt his tail waver pleasantly. The sound of his name on Germanicus' tongue was a peculiar kind of treat. 

The offer that the silver male had placed before Ruenna was marvelous. They would do what Redhawk Caldera needed and surely be granted access to the lake on the other side. Crowfeather nodded his head quickly to signify that he was also agreeable to the conditions. He thought in that moment that he might follow Germanicus anywhere.

Germanicus had an impressive way of speaking and an even more accomplished memory. He repeated Ruenna's introduction near-verbatim. The Regent found herself studying the pair before her, struck by the uncanny feeling that this was not the last time she would hear these names or see these faces. 

The pair seemed honest enough, and respectful. Ruenna couldn't remember the last time anyone came by asking permission to pass through the area. A week was hardly any time at all. Her decision was an easy one. 

"Certainly. You're welcome to reside by the northern shore of Lake Rodney; you won't be questioned by anyone from the Caldera. We request that you feed yourselves from the abundance of fish and waterfowl, and that you bury any leavings. There have been rumors of a cat in the wider area." Ruenna herself wouldn't fault the pair if they wanted to take a deer, but there were others in the Caldera who might grumble. 

"If you do find yourselves on the southern shore, you might check in with our ally, Brecheliant. They claim the fen to the south. Any favor that would have been paid to we Redhawks may be paid to them." Ruenna struggled to think of anything to request from the pair, so she diverted their gratitude to Brecheliant. The Caldera still owed their allied pack for what had happened to Bridget, Ruenna felt.

lady ruenna was fair, and agreed to their terms with a set of her own. not a word insistent, nor entitled to what he and crowfeather had offered. germanicus dipped his head in a lingering bow. "you bless us with your patronage. your ally brecheliant will be prioritized."

a cat in the area. germanicus pinned a lesson-plan in his head for another day. 

"those western mountains once sheltered a large pack. we discovered evidence that these rogues have gone elsewhere. the saints. they are unkind at best."

there was a recollection forming in germanicus, of a fierce golden woman who also wore the name of the redhawks. or perhaps he only misremembered. such times evaded him now.

there was a pause. germanicus watched the regent for a small moment. he was a creature both pragmatic and curious, and did not look toward crowfeather before speaking again. "please forgive my forwardness, domina. will you allow me to call upon you here again? once more before we depart."

Crowfeather said nothing as Ruenna agreed to the offer that had been made. The dark cohort did bow his head low, however, and avert his gaze away from the woman. She had granted them a great gift, from what he could tell in Germanicus’ voice.

When she described their allies who lived in a fen south of the Redhawk Caldera, Crowfeather did not hesitate to drink in each word. He did not wish to forget such important things, not when the silver guardian could recite them back without error.

The thought of waterfowl and fish watered his mouth. The young wolf had never worked himself into such an appetite before. All that travel must have worn him to need.

A mental note was made the dark Crowfeather to seek prey and bring a few rabbits or birds to the Redhawk Caldera. Even though they would also pay their respects to the ally pack, the seer thought it would be pertinent to show that they were grateful for the kindness shown.

Honey eyes searched Germanicus’ profile.

Germanicus wove his words eloquently, as if he were casting an intricate spell. Ruenna was drawn in easily, and she perhaps would have agree to much more than the small favor he requested. 

Providing some contrast, Crowfeather listened a great deal and spoke not at all, which Ruenna saw as an excellent quality for a trainee. The boy kept his posture respectful too, which was rare enough for a young male. Rue found herself just as intrigued by the silent partner as she was by the talkative one. 

In return for the warning about the cat, Germanicus provided one of his own. Ruenna's brow furrowed. "We have not encountered the Saints, thank the stars. If they were ever in the area, it wasn't for long. You should be quite safe from them here." It was obvious to Ruenna that the pair sought to avoid the Saints-- why else bring them up?-- but that didn't trouble her overmuch. Everyone has a past. There were wolves in the Teekons that Rue wouldn't much care to run into herself, come to think of it. 

"Oh, of course," Rue agreed readily to Germanicus's final request, despite being a bit surprised that they meant to check in upon their departure as well. "It's not forward at all," she reassured him. "I look forward to speaking again, and hearing about how Crowfeather has progressed." She smiled. Looking between the pair with a wag of her tail, she wondered if there was anything else they sought from her before they departed for their temporary home.

these saints were known in the land. germanicus was not unmindful of how the small woman spoke in their regard. she ended with an offer of safety, and a vague smile touched the edge of the eagle's mouth. "and redhawk caldera has safety in our strength, added to your own for a time." the man feared very little, and a band of misnomers were not a part of this listing.

but he was not insulted that lady ruenna had given her home as a respite. it was a good show of immediate allyship, and germanicus bowed once more in gratitude.

"i hope to return in such success," the ranger said quietly, glancing at last toward the young cohort. "a week, then."

smartly the eagle turned, beginning a long trot in the direction of the glimmering lake. crowfeather would follow. he would not coddle the boy away, but see how he found his own legs.

the sun-gaze settled upon the waters.

A week, Crowfeather repeated internally and nodded his head in understanding to the older man.

The dark wolf wondered what he might learn in that time, just as Ruenna had remarked on the growth he would have. Doubts in Germanicus were not an issue, Crowfeather knew this already. He knew the stoic man would provide innumerable lessons in their time together. The seer feared only his own ability to please Germanicus.

Following the back of the older man, Crowfeather turned once to cast a grateful expression to the woman Ruenna. She had given them a gift and he believed the show of emotion would not do any harm.

The visitors promised to lend their strength to the Caldera while they were in the area. Ruenna dipped her head respectfully, showing her gratitude for the gesture. It was unlikely that the would have need of such services in the coming week, but you never know for certain. 

They would, of course, be welcome to add their strength to the Caldera on a more permanent basis, as members. Ruenna would make certain they were aware of their open invitation, when they returned in a week's time. 

Ruenna returned Germanicus's bow, and she smiled encouragingly as Crowfeather cast one more look towards her over his shoulder. If first impressions were anything to go on, Ruenna thought that the boy was lucky indeed to have been taken under Germanicus's wing. 

Once they disappeared into the distance, Ruenna shuffled back toward Āzon, intending to recount the conversation to him and ask him to spread the news within the Caldera that the two soldiers had the pack's blessing.