Whitefish River the moon was but a chin of gold & her amber lips never did part

tags just for reference
for @Evergreen and / or @Ira

It seemed that no matter where she settle, Aurëwen was wont to avoid society as she did mirrors — more than ever, she could not help to be away. But she had spent time ample with her remedying @Dragomir upon this day, bartering all that she had gathered with @Speedy and now, beneath the ebbing light of the first day of harvest, the strider filled the eve with an airy hail for @Evergreen and @Ira in her foreign timbre.

Yet was the obligation to give that crested entirely through that feeling; a compulsion, a suggestion which had each print towards Whitefish more fleet, more fervent than the previous. At least ... she assumes it isn’t such a horrendous request: to service herself as fully as she could to the riverlands in the time that remained.

Patient with her fine-feathered dæmon’s restless movements to find respite upon her spine, as well as for whenever the Count and his Constable would find her ruminating by the cascades. Aegelius, finally stilled, has come to rest on the high, pillowy point of her ruff between thin shoulders.

Upon whichever arrival:
“Quite a while ago, I was foraging past ze Kintlas, into ze Bear Wilderness. When I was there, I met a ... a queen, so to speak. She calls herself @Hydra.”  A lull, to let the weight of her fragile-fringed ambition settle more into their ears. And then,  “We spoke of ... of our ambitions, for ze ones we love and for our own persons. She has invited me to Moonspear, herself, and wishes for me to walk amongst her people, to learn of their culture, their ways."  A pause, tentative.  "I will not claim to know if Kaisteleoki means to assume alliance at this time, but, in my humble opinion, I believe being there will put us in Moonspear's favor."

Finally, she rose, and crescented to face both from where she’d been seated pulsebeats ago.  “In my short time here, I have come to understand what Kaisteloki means to be — a guiding force through suffering, and a place to call hearth and home.”  Another pause.  “And now, I have brought my children here, and I have come to understand ze things that need to be done.”  Rolling the spire of a shoulder, unassuming,  “Repayment of your hospitality is my most prominent interest. What I will do, should you allow my going, will be more as a means of ... giving back to your letting my children mend, here.”

A call echoed, beaconing the roan woman forward through the late afternoon. Soon the white figure of Aurëwen and an unexpected feathered companion came to view leaving Ira with maw agape to answer when the woman suddenly spoke up. The name she mentioned felt almost as if it had come from a dream, but the dream of Moonspear was all too real.

Ira had visited once herself moons ago, but at that time Hydra was not the ruler. Had the mother stepped down for her daughter? Still, it surprised her that the wolves of the mountain had opened their home for the scarred mother. They seemed very intent on keeping their family just that. Family. Perhaps it was just under the conditions she visited. Korei Julia had never mentioned her family's hate for her when the constable agreed to escort her.

At the time of her visit, Ira had resided in Easthollow. A rocky relationship had already been formed between the two packs, but it was true the rulers of the distant mountain likely did not know of the newly founded kingdom. If you believe an alliance is possible over such a vast distance, Evergreen and I will discuss the potential of an alliance with Moonspear. We have only sought friends East of our current location as many are only a few days travel or less.

She paused taking in the snowy woman's figure. Had she not just sought out her family? Now she planned to leave them or was it that they were all to depart. No, surely she meant her alone. Dragomir was in no condition for such a journey and her daughter seemed rather eager to stay and learn.

I can not stop you, but what of your family? Is it your wish to leave, or perhaps you will all reunite after wounds have mended? There seemed to be many wounds in this family, not all were adorned on the surface. She did not know enough to know just what they suffered from, but she recognized the pain as she once hid her own.

"Of course. There is no harm in trying, I should think,"  the strider mused, for though fleet of paw she was, the way to Hydra's realm would be to tread a considerable stretch of earth. And yet ...  "I have a travelling companion, @Guildenstern, who will attend with myself. He is recent, but before ... before ze events which brought my children and I here. "  Her mourner purled at the reference, from somewhere behind the pillar of her throat, and only went acknowledged with an absent feathering of tail.  "As ze sun will soon leave us, then, perhaps we might be able to share in ze lands between us and they; even at such a distance." A mere suggestion, though the silver seemed keen to keep the threads concise and short within her labyrinth's mind.

Bells of bewilderment clanged in the silver's mind as her 'leaving' was mentioned, evermore evident by a few, flurrying houghtless blinks left in the wake of Ira's inquiry,  "I assure you, I only mean to be away for several days,"  scarred brow knit, the red hurts entangled in confusion,  "not to depart from my children. Not when they might favor this place so much. If they do, I would not take them from some place that has become another hearth for them. To them."  Perhaps she had misspoken, and her tongue had tripped in a manner which had confused the Constable. Her way of apology for such misunderstanding was by a cast-away of thin ears into her ruff.

"Neverzeless, leaving your hospice so soon would be dishonorable, on my part. My son must mend, before anything else."  And regardless of the restlessness that was always aflutter in her brest, regardless of her trek to Moonspear, she would remain tethered to his side as she had so promised.

Aurëwen said her piece, it was worth considering. Hydra did not seem to hate her presence when she visited, in fact she mostly questioned her about life in Easthollow. Perhaps there was something to work with after all. I will speak to Evergreen then. If she asks for anything, do let us know, but until then avoid mentioning our side as we need to come to a decision.

The woman was quick to correct her on her departure, perhaps she had jumped to conclusions too fast. She was pleased that she did not plan to leave permanently, it was too odd to just dump her family and go. I see, I have no qualms then if you are returning. Do not fear to repay us. If your family provides as they have been, then that is payment enough. After all, if her children stayed for the long run it was one more warrior, raised by the pack and who knew what talents young Dragomir would provide once he was back on his feet.

Give Hyra my regards. I hope all is well in their pack. We will take care of your family until you return do not let worry plague your mind during your travels.