Offering a nod in acknowledgement of his thanks, the youth cast another glance Sceral's way. "Celandine Argyris. I'm Hypatia's sister." Introducing herself as an extension to one of her siblings felt all wrong on the girl's tongue. Resisting the urge to spit, as if the words actually had a taste to them, she resolved to never do such a thing again. A queen would not introduce themselves as such, and so she mustn't either.

Finding herself unwilling to delve any deeper into his search, the waited in silence. Seconds passed like hours, as she felt an awkward tension growing. Celandine couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before they decided she wasn't coming. Would she have to send the honey-colored male away, or allow him to wait at their borders like some sort of scavenger planning it's next meal?

When Hypatia's familiar paw steps began to appear, the Argyris girl felt relief. The tension seemed to disappear, taking with it any worries she might have had. Her tawny sister's reaction to the male did not surprise Celandine. Oak Tree Bend had a less than savory history with the Plateau, and she knew her father would not be too keen on finding the scent when he made his rounds of the borders.

Only moment's later, she became aware of another familiar gait, headed strait toward them.The youth knew she was in trouble. Phineas should have been notified immediately, and she had failed to carry out her duties. Bowing her head in shame as he approached, Celandine knew sucking up would do her little good. "Do the Plateau wolves come down and prance around your borders often?" Oh no, he was in a mood.

The yearling's body was alive with nervous tension. Every timid step Serach had taken up the side of the mountain had been plagued with a seemingly infinite amount of thoughts about his quest to find his sibling. Standing across the border from Celandine - he had stored her name to memory as soon as she had told him - and Hypatia, all he could think of was the fact that he would be returning home with no more answers than when he had left. He was not set anymore at ease when the sound of another wolf approaching clearly set the two girls on edge themselves. Despite himself, the hair along his back pricked up. He didn't have to see the newcomer to know that this was the reason that Hypatia had told him that he should not have been on the Plateau pack's borders. The surge of fear was almost enough to make him run, but the desire to have his question answered was enough to keep him rooted to the ground, pale yellow eyes watching anxiously as the pack's leader came into view.

It had been a long time since Serach had seen the large white male, but there was no mistaking who he was. The pack's leader held himself with a natural dominance, demanding respect from everyone around him. Turning his head away, flatting his ears against his skull and his tail against his underbelly, the boy could not help but be reminded of his uncle Ruiko. Gruff as his uncle had been, though, the harshness in the Plateau's leader's voice was so much more frightening. Just like Hypatia, Phineas made it clear that Serach was not welcome here, though his word choice caused a simmer of rebellion inside the youth. He knew of no others who had ventured to the pack's borders and he was certainly not prancing.

"I came to ask Hypatia if she knew of the whereabouts of my brother, Sceral," he spoke up, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. "If she doesn't, then I'll leave immediately."

He didn't know what else to say. He hadn't done anything wrong, and the amount of hostility radiating off the Plateau wolves confused him. In the Bend, the winter scuffle over a kill had been long forgotten, but for whatever reason, it seemed that those memories had not been laid to rest by their mountain neighbors.

Celandine quieted in his presence – and it would seem all attention would turn to him for the moment, as his fiery eyes swept over the youthful Bend wolf before him. He was brazen – the Argyris man could appreciate that. He clearly had come for a reason, and would not turn tail until he had his answers.. all of which fell to his eldest daughter to answer. His eyes drifting from the stranger to fall upon his tawny daughter, the Argyris patriarch awaited silently for her to offer any insight to the ivory wolf – and as she spoke, it would become apparent she had none.


Phineas was secretly pleased by the information. The silver boy had been a little too taken to Hypatia, in his mind, and at least now this was one less thing he had to worry about. His daughter would find a suitable mate one day – but she need not rush such things.. and they certainly did not need to be tied to Oak Tree Bend any more than what they were, given Borlla’s lineage.


“There’s your answer,” he rumbled darkly, his eyes flashing back to Serach as his tail gave an idle flick. He disliked the wolves of Oak Tree Bend, but he did not consider himself cruel – he simply wished for them to leave his pack in peace.. somehow, they seemed to be a curious lot, though. “If we get word of your brother, Hypatia will send word to you of his whereabouts.” That was all he would offer – and he certainly felt he was being quite generous, given he did not want his daughter anywhere near them.