Another call sounded out along the border of his home. It was easy to mind the borders when you lived on an island, for really only intruders could enter from one point on the island. Bears, cougar, coyote, were all something the island wolves never had to worry about when it came to crossing onto the island. However, for those not accustom to the beaches or were caught off guard, there was the dangers of jellyfish, string ray, shark and the pull of the ocean all it's own. 

So when the call came he knew just where to tread and he would see a darkly grayscale female at the outskirts of the beach just off the sandbar. He didnt know the scent to be of pack on her for he didnt know much anything of the plain wolves savor what had been told to him by Hua. He knew of Ira by name and name alone. 

Coming in near, the red wolf dipped his chin to her respectfully and then, Hello, I'm Aiolos. He greets, What can I do for you?

It was Ira, she greeted, the Count of Kaistleoki and Aiolos quickly put together what information had had of the woman as leader of the plains wolves. She had been there as backup for Hua (amongst many others) when it came to driving out the Saints from the forest near the coastline. There was a possibility of an alliance mentioned, but nothing official and very little mentioned since. 

I do hope that she may come shortly. As you may understand, the more pups grow, the more of a handful they can become. He smirks at the thought. Though he didnt know if Ira had her own litter or not, surely she knew pups in their adolescence and teenage phase were quiet difficult at times. He wondered then, how Huojin was holding up... 

A knot in his throat, he pushes past this and onto topic. I am Shàngjiàng here- Emperor, so I hope I can be of use until then. He lowers his head slightly, hoping she may take the offer of his knowledge thus far though is understanding if she wished to wait for the Empress. She was the one most well known, after all. By troubles, I can only assume you mean The Saints? And then...

And there was a possibility of an alliance, if I recall? The open land which she lived was far, but no further then Neverwinter and even still less so then Moonspear. However, without them being close, he doubted the alliance would be one that offered much trade or help then it came to general needs. Still, should a war happen, a united front of all those against the blood hungry group was far better then being separated and picked off of.

Indeed, children were a handful. She'd just been catching a wild rabbit to bring to her kids- and had been on her way to them when she'd heard the call. The siren placed down the food in front of @Haoming when she found her there at the densite, hurriedly told her to be sure to share, and was off again to go find Ira. She was a tad ashamed of her lateness with so important of a guest, and when she arrived her ears were unintentionally pinned shyly against her head. An appreciative nod to Aiolos, and then a momentary bow of her head to Ira before she looked up again. Ira, please forgive my timing. I am very happy to see you here- and want to thank you again for your help in the summer. It could only be the unity of several packs to make Donovan's ego bow, even if it was only temporary. This is my fellow leader, Aiolos, She introduced him with a gesture, unaware he'd already done so. Look back to Ira, Are you here so we may discuss relations?

He listens to the older woman, made of long and slender, sharp features. Along with two predominant scars to her legs which dont go unnoticed by him, having well enough of his own though none so largely that they shown through savor whatever nicks marred his limbs. After mentioning that she had not seen The Saints since, she them goes on to wanting to know more of Yuelong in order to consider establishing an alliance between her pack and their own. Of course, as I'd like to know so of your own as well. He personally knew little of the river wolves. The Saints may have moved but there agression has not eased. Even if we are not exactly close as far as travel goes for immediate assistance, I find it best we keep united. 

His attention wavered from the lean woman as approach from behind him stirred his attention. Hua. A smell of blood from a fresh kill was on her though it did not stain the dark furs of her crown. She came with apology both in her stance and words for her late arrival though Ira objects without need to which the burnished man's creamy lips turned up in a small smile to his Empress. Though he would interject to add when he thought the need, now that Hua was here he left the floor to her. She had founded this pack, after all.

Ira was a seemingly humble and logical woman, which Huāzhēn greatly appreciated. Huā shook her head with a slight smile at the Count's apology, a sign that she did not believe she had any reason to apologize. They'd all been busy- and she understood it well. To her statement, the empress nodded. Of course- whatever information you need... I trust you, and am happy to provide. There was other information, too- the saints' existence in the canyon, their failed attempts at spying, the kidnapping of one of Yuèlóng's own members. But Huā figured they wished to focus on diplomacy first, and the words she needed to share were temporarily placed second priority. Instead she tried to think what Ira would want to know, though she was prepared for questions, too. I made Yuèlóng at the end of last winter with my sisters, Yingyue and Meizhen. We... we rank members based on what skill they have or want to learn. And we try to keep to ourselves, on the island, peaceful, but also have made some alliances with some of the nearby packs.

Aiolos listened as Hua went on to explain the founding and how the pack generally ran. Ears perked with curious interest as Ira mentioned that she did not quite rule alone, yet had a council to assist her with decision making. 

They did not quite have this, the two leaders deciding the function of the pack as a whole, but they did have leads to govern the different skill sets within the ranks, should one be fitting for the duty. He thought of @Minori then, who risked the safety of her unborn pups to protect him though now once more @Orochi took up the mantle, who in Aiolos' opinion was far too arrogant, smart mouthed and bullheaded for the position of lead security and warfare. 

Have you any allies currently? It would be good to make sure that had they any enemies, either, that they didnt happen to be allies of Yuelong. Neverwinter forest is not too far from your lands, how is your position with them?

Huā liked Ira's concept of self-improvement. Yuèlóng had never been a place that put too much emphasis on skillsets, but the empress thought she would like to see more of it, especially considering their second-in-command roles were based on the skills of the wolves who held them. She nodded in a manner that showed she was listening, and then looked to Aiolos as he spoke before glancing back to Ira. Yes, and Moonspear, if you know of them? Yuèlóng has made bonds with both packs. Huā shared with a small grin, hoping Ira's answer would not be too complicated.

He listens closely and learns that the Empire within the Vale from which he once lived, was considered to be a 'sister pack' of her own, their bonds closely united and he was curious as to how. Likely, one or the other being former members who then decided to establish their own ranks or perhaps children that had since grown and of course wanted to expand their bloodline by their own breeding right. Either way, Aiolos made a note of it. As far as he knew, the Empire was of neutral, good standing to them as so was Ira, though of no formal alliance.

She knew then of Moonspear though granted the distance had not formed any alliance with them. To this, Aiolos nodded. It was an obvious enough answer, just as it was likely so Yuelong would never become aligned with Easthollow due to their distance though could hold a mutual respect through their alliances elsewhere.

It would seem they had two former allies as did they, though none of them were enemies to one another either-which was good. After all, it would have been that factor which would have made things more complicated. As far as formal alliances go, yes. The fiery toned wolf said only, head cocking to the side into his little Empress' direction. Of course, Hua had a great many friends and good standing to those of the Court, Empire and Ira herself. Hua was a woman that many did not stand against and not our of fear or hatred either.

Huā nodded at the info on Reneian Empire, but the mention of Easthollow made her eyes widen. Easthollow? I met the... patriarch, he call himself, when he came here. Greyback... is he your... father? It certainly made sense: Ira too, was tall and grey, Huā could certainly see the resemblance. The Count shared that Kaistleoki and Moonspear had no official alliance, which the Empress thought was fine as long as they were not enemies. Aiolos answered Ira's last question, and Huā nodded at his words. We have had Seelie Court and Reneian Empire as friends in the past, but I know very little about packs beyond.

It was far back, in the spring. Before I had my litter, Huā explained straightforwardly, and listened to Ira's next words. She was decided- their values and allies aligned rather well, and so a deal would be good for them. Huā agreed, and smiled, glancing briefly to Aiolos with satisfaction before looking back to the slate woman. Very good. I think we will work well together. Thank you for visiting... and you can call upon us, if ever you need favors. We have not forgotten how you aided us in the summer. Huā dipped her head in a respectful bow to her new ally.