Redsand Canyon thymbra

this is mainly for soldiers, though everyone is welcome to attend! @Maxim @Phox @Tierra @Killdeer @Reyson @Cornelius @Aquillius (special invite to @Ruenna/@Towhee/@Kallik)

"today my sons join us in our routine," germanicus told the assemblage. they were within the sparring arena. he did not intend that the boys join them yet for such, though his spar with siptah had told him of their readiness.

theirs would be a charmed childhood compared to his own.

"you know them by name. this is aquillius. and this is cornelius. introduce yourselves, soldiers. one day these boys will be men who may fight alongside you."

Reyson stood quietly at attention, eyes on the youths and his new leader. He knew the one youth, he had shared the fawn with him. Reyson didn't know what to expect, or even what to do. Puppies were far out of his comfort zone. He had barely gotten through the meeting with the one youth and eating the fawn. 

HE shifted and spoke loud enough that the youths could hear. I'm Reyson Ebonywood, Auxillary. Not sure what else was expected of him, this was different than how they had done it at home. Once the pups were big enough, they were assigned a specific group and then pushed out into the world. 

Reyson had, had all of his soldiers beneath him for more than 2 years, when tragedy had struck and they had stayed and he had lost them, because he couldn't lose Renaud. Who he lost anyway.

Oh, nice!! Tierra grinned as Germanicus introduced the kids as beginning training. One might have thought she was just happy to see the younger pack members growing up, but the reality was a little more selfish. Hell yes! Someone I can totally beat!. And teach, of course.

Nice!! I'm Tierra. If you need any help or anything, I'm totally down to show you the ropes. Normally she'd have gone on a little more, but sensing (for once) that this was a bit of an occasion, she cut herself off there and continued to stand a bit more casually than likely any of the wolves who had gathered. She'd gotten used to the "routine" and the exercises that it entailed, but there were some things she'd likely never pick up.

Kallik looked over the imperator's sons, imagining that soon his own would be in the same place. They would stand with the soldiers too, train with them. 

He took a step forward nodding to each boy. Aquillius he knew better. I am Kallik. I will teach you to fight and to be a guardian for Mereo. He wondered what kind of soldiers they would be. You will come see me in the valley when you are old enough. They would be headed there soon. The twins were growing quickly and were nearing the age that they could make the trip to their permanent home.

they grew like weeds and maxim found himself only able to think of his and @Towhee 's children as he stared at them. and it was with this thought he felt some near heart clutching emotion. such a vulnerable moment to show when he was supposed to be on duty!

regardless, he found himself next in line for their introductions.

ah, i am maxim. scutarius. this he offered as he tried to temper the emotion in his heart.

one by one the soldiers introduced themselves.

the smiles and looks given their way eased his concerns.

"one day you will walk beside them, and they beside you," he told aquillius and cornelius. "listen now. they have much to teach."

there would be a brief period of mingling, after which the imperator would escort his sons back to their mother, looking for her fondness as well.

mereo had become a fortress.

Reyson didn't speak, but he watched. If someone wanted to engage, he would answer, but otherwise he simply rather observe.

There were many here, many soldiers, many to protect the younglings. He wondered if that had been the sole reason for bringing so many here. To protect the young of the alpha pair.

He could now put names to faces and smells to names as well.

fading!

with this, he had high hopes for the future.

germanicus would lead them all in a howl before sending them off and bringing his sons before him.

"remember this day."