Moonlight filtered through the spring growth, casting ripples of shadow across the densite. The hour was late, but nobody was sleeping.
This meeting would be brief, Athena told herself. She howled her summons, spoke the traditional greeting, and breathed deeply. Some looked fearful, others serious. Some seemed glad, perhaps hoping it was good news. It wasn't. But they would know the truth, and this time she would not worry about presentation. Taking a deep breath, the Lady of Aryn gazed over her packmates with solemn eyes. For her family's sake, she must appear strong. "I have returned from my parley with Blutwald; it did not go as I'd hoped. Famine claims their land, drawing them out of the shadows in search of whatever food they can find. When confronted about the theft, Alpha Winema was openly mocking. She made many threats, not the least of which was future raiding parties. Bloom's captivity holds Blutwald at bay. But they have shown themselves to be utterly without honour, and if the Red Pack makes a move, we must be ready for them."
Some whispers broke out. Nobody was smiling. There. That was out of the way. Now for what it meant... "Until further notice, Rangers will not be permitted to leave the territory without permission. In time I may call on you to seek allies... for now, apply your talents to watching our borders. I want patrols at all times along the Eastern fringe. No one below the rank of Gamma may travel alone. Leaving Aryn lands without my approval will be considered an act of sedition and treated as such." She looked to the omegas then, eyes narrowing, "Those without tasks... take one. We cannot afford to have idle paws with so much at stake."
Lifting her tail high, the alphess was about to signal for a dismissal before remembering one other important bit of information. "Oh, and if you see a fox... don't eat him" Athena ordered, looking mostly at Charaka. "There is one who goes by the name of Joseph. He is our ally, and has agreed to help us."
