While she had expected some upset and questions initially, she was taken by surprise as her daughter made her exclamation. She withheld releasing a sigh, more so to not upset her daughter further, should she take it as frustration, rather than fatigue. Maksim would respond in turn, and grateful to her mate, she tipped her muzzle to cast a glance at him, offering a gentle nod in silent agreement. Kova was not their concern -- the boy seemed respectable enough, but he was also at an age where he could make his own decisions. They were not needed to push out some form of a 'rescue mission.'


Lachesis also spoke, and Kisla cast him a gentle glance. She shifted her weight then, about to chime in  once more, as Naia, Kjors, Orren and Davin remained silent. Instead, Karpos put forward his own thoughts -- thoughts that stirred a light frown to cross her features, as he spoke about Gent looking out for the well-being of his own pack. Offering a slow nod, her eyes studying the ebony Leader, Kisla felt a prickle of unease. Was Karpos familiar with this Gent?


"Karina, dear heart," she began, her eyes drifting back to her upset daughter. "Kova is an adult and fully capable of making his own decisions. I very much doubt Gent is a monster that keeps him there against his will -- they probably regard one another as family, just as each Hearthwood River wolf regards one another as such, too." It might have been a stretch of the truth, given the current tensions within their own pack, but Kisla had no reason to believe Minka's son was in any danger. "If he wants to leave, our doors will be open as a home for him here. But that is only a decision he can make."


She paused then, her eyes drifting back to her co-lead, offering him a small nod. "And Lachesis and Karpos are right -- we are on neutral grounds, and I would like to keep it that way. So let's stay away from the Crest wolves -- especially being close to their lands. I can only hope they give us the same courtesy." With a pause, she glance around, feeling the fatigue from her travels weigh upon her. "Does anyone have anything else to say?" If not, she would conclude the meeting.

A jolt went through the boy at the sound of his father's strict voice. He had heard that tone before, countless times it seemed, but never directed at Karina. Orren looked between his parents and sister, seeing the devastation on her face as the words hit. He couldn't fault them for chiding her, she had been brash and disrespectful in her outburst. The irony of the situation hit him like a thrust in the gut, had it been only a year earlier, that their situations had been reversed? When he had stood up at a gathering much like this one, challenging the decision of his parents. Back then, she had been the first to speak back at his childishness, stood at the very forefront, while the rest of the pack berated him; Have we changed this much?! But he knew what she must feel, how heartbreaking it was to be in that position. Perhaps that was what had stayed his tongue, and he certainly didn't want to join the others in telling her off. In fact, he felt a certain need to defend her, protect his fragile sister as he had tried and failed to do for this past year; Even if he agreed with the others about Round Stone Crest and Kova's ability to save himself. The prince felt a stirring at his side and looked down to see his sisters pressing close together, seeking solace in each other. His need to protect shifted as he saw the girls, clearly upset by the discord around them. The brother stepped a little closer to the two, lowering his muzzle to place a quick kiss on each of their heads; What must be going through them..? How much did they even understand of the discussion, beyond the fact that there was one? When Orren looked back up, he saw that the shadowy yearling had stepped in front of Karina, in much the same way he stood before the young princesses, and a small sigh left him; She has her own protection… There was no need for his brotherly support anymore. Kisla was the last to address her oldest daughter, and though her voice was much softer, the damage had already been done. There was nothing Orren could do about it though, he remained in agreement with the adults, and felt certain his help would not be welcomed anyway. Karina would seek out support with her dragon and ghost, as she always did; And I'll stay here. He glanced down at Inna and Lekalta, they needed him more. On the meeting went, and Naia stepped up to offer information gathered in her scouting. The copper boy's ears perked, a faint flash of recognition running through him; South, Pines?! It was nothing but a hunch though, and as the scout preached caution, he committed the information to mind, feeling no need to voice his ponderings. Again the lad found himself empty of words, he had nothing to say that might lighten the mood, and now wish to drag out the meeting further. In fact he longed to have it over with, diffuse this gathered tension and leave everyone to recover on their own; Get back to the caches… A good hunt would no doubt help clear his mind. Word count: 545 ”Speech" Thoughts

FurLined @DA

Lekalta regarded the adults quietly -- there was a bit of tension in the air, but she didn't truly understand the reason for it. It was rare for their father to use such a tone upon any of them, and she all but shirked away from him as he did so with Karina. Her eldest sister looked upset, and before she could even cast a glance to her brother, Orren planted a kiss upon her forehead, and she felt herself instantly relax. She did not dwell too much of what had transpired before her -- Karina was upset at the loss of their contact with the Crest wolves, but Lekalta had never had anything to do with them. Given her young nature, if something did not directly affect her, she had a harder time contemplating why it could affect another.


Gingerly, she planted a nudge to Inna's cheek, reassuring her sister she was still here as well. One ear would flicker at Naia's words regarding another pack nearby, and she wondered what that truly meant. Were they a threat? Was it a good thing? The Scout's words of them did little to inspire Lekalta to believe it a good thing, so she cast a quizzical glance upward to Orren, her shoulders lifting in a gentle shrug. Maybe afterward he would take the girls to go do something fun? The discussion seemed to be winding down, and shifting her weight, Lekalta felt herself grow more restless with each passing moment.

To further drift the meeting from the rising tensions and rebuke of one of their yearlings, Naia piped up regarding some news. Kisla's eyes drifted over to the weary scout, listening to her words and giving a light nod. The River Queen refrained from mentioning she would almost like to meet this other leader -- she assumed this was the pack that had torn in to both Kjors and Naia after Kjors had rallied a fight at their borders, but as quickly as the thought came, it fled her mind. She needed a rest from her travels for now -- and it would likely do no good if the other pack desired no one at their borders.. a sentiment Kisla could relate to.


"Thank you, Naia," she murmured, giving a nod to show her agreement with the Second. "I would like our members to keep away from any pack borders, if I'm honest. Oak Tree Bend, south of us, is the only pack we would consider an ally and friend. They are my family, and while nothing is established officially, we will work towards doing so." With a small pause, the she-wolf rose to her weary paws then, giving a light shake of her pelt. "I think it is safe to dismiss for now," she offered, offering a small smile to her pack mates.


While the woman had every intention of seeking out Karina to see how she was doing, her first course of action was to have a meal and refuel her energy.. and it would only later become apparent to the mother that her eldest daughter did not want to be found for now, and she would seek out the warmth of her den at her mate's side, her heart stinging.