Redsand Canyon Gently, Gently walk among us

Keeping vague as of right now.

Reyson stepped lumbering body through the pack lands. He didn't know anyone yet, but the Imperator. He could smell females and babies, but he hadn't seen them. He hadn't actively looked though either. He knew better than to go near any woman or child, both for the sake of his hide and that he didn't wish to make a father or mother angry. Not to mention that he wasn't entirely comfortable around pups. They were not around him in his former pack.

Reyson patrolled along the borders, occasionally to mark them, Claws digging deep grooves, amongst the other packmates and scents. He stopped a moment to look out over the area, blue eyes assessing, studying, learning.

With the impertaor back, Kallik didn't scale back his patrolling. He was still just as vigilant. Aquene and his sons were more vulnerable than ever now, and he refused to let anything happen to them. For now, he could keep them all safely tucked away in the den—it wouldn't be that way forever. So while he still held all the control, he was going to make sure they came to no harm.

He was inspecting the fresh scent on one of the trees and picked up the scent of the new auxillary. They hadn't met yet, with all of Kallik's time already spoken for. Now he could kill two birds with one stone: speak with the new soldier and protect his family. 

He came from behind the other soldier, chuffing lowly to announce his presence.

The Imperator was back, that was all the scarred man knew. He didn't know if answers had been found and justice dealt.  And it was not his concern. One he was new, two he was not yet highly ranked. Though he hoped to rise at least some. 

Reyson turned his head at the chuff. His gaze came across a male the color of mist on mountains. He tucked his tail and averted his eyes. Bowed his legs a bit. Hello. I'm Reyson Ebonywood Auxillary

This male smelled like a female and puppies and herbs. He wondered if they were herbs for him or someone dabbled in healing.

The man's body language gave off deference--something to be expected in the soldier environment. Kallik would not have necessarily forced it, though he appreciated the gesture. 

The auxillary introduced himself and Kallik nodded once. I am Kallik, former legatus of Mereo. Now I am helping to form another branch in the valley nearby and acting as a liaison between the two. Though he wouldn't be returning to epoch for another few weeks when the twins were older. 

Are you more of a guardian or a warrior, he asked, curious about what path the new auxillary would take.

Reyson had born a mantle of a higher male once upon a time. He had commanded his own group, and it was his own group that had bore the brunt of the fight that last fateful day. His men too loyal to leave him, and he too loyal to leave the pack and Renaud. So he knew deference well, but it would need to be paired with respect, stoicism, even some kindnesses which this mist walker seemed  to entail. He was probably a good leader. Reyson took him in assessing in mere seconds, and tilted is ears forward to listen.

Reyson felt a shiver of a tendril of unease at the mention of another sister pack. Of one forming elsewhere but to continue to serve. Would it end as badly as what had happened to Renaud? No surely this was not the case, for these wolves were departing from their loved ones, not allowing strangers in.

The next question confused him but not because of any reason other than he had always done both in his former home.  He asked the question, not in simpleton terms, just to the point, precise. You do not do both here? Guard and war? Fight and die? Protect and die? 

He swished his tail in thought. If he had to make a choice, what was he?

Kallik gave a curt nod to the auxillary's question. Yes, we do both, but we still pick one to specialize in. If there is war or need for protection, then we are all expected to fight. But otherwise, I divide my time based on my specialty, which is to be a guardian of Mereo. Warriors would spend more time sparring. It was a lot of words at once, which was not something he would get from the epochian often; he felt he needed to ensure the auxillary understood how things worked. 

I spend a lot of my time patrolling and intercepting strangers on the border. He would have likely been there to intercept Reyson had he not been with his wife and small children. He had to factor them into his schedule, as well, even if he could not give the amount of time he wished he could.

Reyson twisted his tail again, his thoughts moving around and changing form. He was suited for both, could do both, but he would need to choose something he excelled at. And he thought perhaps Warrior. Were he a guardian, he would turn all and any away, fearful that many would perish were he to let the wrong one in, as Renaud had done. No, he would go for Warrior. Warrior seems more my forte.

He tilted his head and laid his ears back for a moment, Wondering should he offer something up to be said. Before..mm..yes before I did both, will still do both, but my body is a warriors one.

He thought briefly of the scars he bore. They pained him sometimes, but mostly they simply existed much like he did. You smell like herbs. he said matter of fact. Do you heal?

He was more of a warrior, but this didn't surprise Kallik; the other man looked the part. He nodded, offering no more words on the subject. 

Reyson pointed out that he smelled of herbs, and that almost brought a smile to his face—it was rare to see a smile from him, though, unless you were Aquene. He shook his head. My wife, Aquene, is the healer here. She keeps herbs in the den we share, especially now while our sons are so young. He kind of liked the idea that he smelled of her herbs; he would have to mention this to her when he saw her later.

Reyson stood in quiet study. This wolf knew well about warriors too, much like he did. They were both a different type of animal, a different type of wolf. There was nothing wrong with that, for it talks all kinds to make a world.

Reyson studied him and his words. Healers are better than all of us. She ever needs help, you ever need help. You let me know. Though Reyson wasn't fond of such a thing. He offered his help to this misty warrior for the sake of his wife. As far as Reyson was concerned. Healers were indeed better than all of them. They helped, they healed, whereas he hurt and killed. Yes, Healers were infinitely better than anyone else.

A small twitch of his lip was all he showed at the mention of pups. Pups make me nervous. Too little.

Kallik was quick to nod his head in agreement at the man's words. Aquene was better than anyone he had ever met. He would give his life for her without thought. And when Reyson offered his help with anything they needed, the soldier would nod again. Thank you. The more wolves watching out for his wife, the better. 

They are less fragile than they look, he told the other man. But I was nervous around them too until I had my own, so I get it. More time around children would hopefully make him more comfortable around them. There were plenty for him to spend time with here at least. 

Mine are Nanuq and Siku; twin boys, he offered after a moment, clearly proud of them.

The sincerity in the man's thank you curled around Reyson like a misty morning. He felt a little warm, fast realizing he was being kinder than he would have once upon a time. He wasn't certain how he felt about it. But he had meant every word.

Reyson frowned. It's not merely the size and fragility. Though, that's most of it.I don't know what to do or how to act. I cannot play. I train, I fight, I offer to die. Not a good lesson

 He hadn't played in years. Pups just made him the most uncomfortable. The smells, the size, the play. Everything about them made him nervous 
 
Nanuq and Siku, twins, boys. Hardy strong, luck. A small lift of one side of his maw showed his delight at the other males clear pride. 

Are those family names or mean something. Sounds like a different background.

If Kallik were the laughing kind, he would have done so in response to the other man's words. Not good lessons yet, anyway, he added. When they were old enough, they would be soldiers, though he chose not to really think about the dying part. 

Reyson asked about the names. He couldn't have known his family was a sore spot for him. Kallik kept the spike of sorrow in his chest from leaking to his face; it remained smooth and calm as always—his mask of ice. Yes, he answered after a few moments. They are from my family's native language from the north. It was all he would likely offer on it. 

When they are older, maybe you can help them train? he suggested, changing the subject.

Reyson nodded. No not yet. These were not lessons little ones should learn. He surprised himself at the vehement thought. He had always found his solace in duty, in being willing to die for those around you, and he had taught that lesson to many, young and old. However, now he was loathe to teach such a lesson to pups he had seen playing in the outside, pups he had spoken with their parents.

Reyson didn't push and he didn't ask. Family names, let it be at that. Strong names. Strong boys. That was all he would say on the subject.

Reyson's ears went forward, and he nodded his head. I would be glad too, though if one wants to be a healer like your wife. I'm afraid I won't be much good. I know how to get the wounds, not heal them. He offered a small lift of the one side of his maw.

Kalik appreciated the compliment and offered a nod to show that. They were strong and he was proud of them and of his wife for carrying and delivering them. She was the strongest of all of them. 

Reyson agreed to help train his sons when they were older. But when he mentioned that one might want to learn healing like Aquene, it honestly threw him a little bit. He hadn't even considered that. They were boys and they would be soldiers, or so he had thought until now. What if one of them did prefer healing to fighting? Kallik wasn't sure how he felt about it. He respected what Aquene did, and he knew Mereo and Epoch would be lost without her, but it was hard to imagine that his own sons wouldn't follow in his steps and become warriors or guardians. 

If that happens, then they will train with Aquene, of course, he finally said. It wasn't that black and white, though, and he would need some time to think it over. 

So no plans to have children of your own? he asked. He hadn't wanted any before Aquene got unexpectedly pregnant. He wouldn't have believed anyone if they told him six moons ago that he would be a father soon.

Reyson would have agreed with that sentiment. However, when it came to healers, he was biased. They could do no wrong in his eyes. One thing he had carried from childhood.

Reyson was oblivious to the other man's confusing thoughts of healers and soldiers. But to him, it was normal. They had healers of both genders in his former pack, some better than others.
. 

Reyson shook his head. I have never planned too. Though, i also never planned to be in another pack starting over. So it will depend on what comes and where life leads me. Reyson was pleased with this thought. It was the truth, and he was adapting to new things. It meant perhaps he wasn't broken.