Naia had brought her concerns forward, regarding Kjors – Maksim, too held reservations for the male. Even Kisla was curious to know what hold he seemed to have on her eldest daughter, she she trusted the judgement of her level-headed child.. for now. It was moments like these where the male reflected his true colors – the concern he revealed for their missing members showed the regal female that he did indeed care for the pack and its well-being.

Yet the mention of the scout’s name closed his features off to a blank façade – and it would seem he held no liking to the River’s lead scout in turn. This was something she hoped to remedy – the wolves of Hearthwood River were a tightly knit family.. and it would not do to have unrest among them.

Little did the Baranski matriarch know of Lachesis’ and Karpos’ own growing distrust of the man before her as well.

Kjors seemed to catch that there was more to the discussion, and her ears flickered back toward her skull, though did not flatten. “There is,” she sighed, her gaze drifting to study his features quietly. “Naia told me of the run in with the pack south of here – the fight,” she offered, feeling Kjors would likely know Naia’s opinion on the entire thing. Perhaps, he would even offer his side of the matter as well. “She is uncertain of you – and I would like to see that remedied. Especially after Gent came to our borders with one of his subordinates.” She paused then, offering a light chuff of disdain. “And you are right – he is heavy handed, and I do not care for him or what his position might mean to the alliance we have formed with Round Stone Crest.” She paused then, knowing she was getting ahead of herself. Fluttering her gaze down to her paws, she continued, hoping to clarify her unease to her companion. He would need to know prior to their departure to see Minka at any rate.

“His informant gave Naia and I an update of recent happenings within their pack – who has recently betrayed them, what news they have. They told me of Tokino’s death – I pretended to be surprised, and offered my condolences. I did not think they knew that an informant was amongst us.” She allowed her gaze to flutter up then, regarding Kjors. “Gent toyed with me then – he mentioned you, and said you knew and were withholding information.. and made the veiled threat that the alliance is to crumble.” Exhaling softly, she found a small smile pulling at her lips. “I do not take veiled threats kindly – but now I worry on how to protect you and this pack if this escalates any further.”

The swarthy male stiffened – her own eyes were sharp upon him, but as much as she would have liked to know his thoughts, he remained a closed wall to her. Her breath rushed out of her nostrils sharply as he suggested to leave, her bright eyes falling upon his own eyes with burning regret that he had even come to consider such a notion.

“That is the last thing I want,” she was quick to reassure, withholding a frown from her slender features, lest the wolf before her take any of her actions incorrectly. “I am being honest because I want you to know what is happening so that we may protect this pack completely – so that we may protect you.” She paused then, her tongue sweeping over her dark lips as she shifted her weight, curious to how he would take her words. “That is not to say you need our protection – but you are pack, and that is family.”

Hearthwood River did not ‘throw’ their members away – least of all the born Tainn, who placed loyalty above all else. She was willing to fight for the wolf before her – but the dragon seemed to unfurl before her – lost with something she did not understand nor know how to fix.

“I would like for you to come with me – as well as Naia, to Round Stone Crest. We will tell Minka what we know.. and we will inform her that we do not take threats to our own kindly.” Because the passive aggressive words of the ebony Crest leader had been taken just as such – and she would not let the issue be passed aside.