The rhythmic clacking of hooves against the slate rang suddenly within his ears, and the king descended just as the animal leapt into view and onto the ledge from which he had just come. His pale eyes followed the white flag, his instincts weakly demanding that he take chase. Yet the well fed man was nothing close to being in a position to gormandize, and thus he stood his ground and watched it flee into the snow dusted air without moving a single muscle in pursuit. It couldn't have been his presence that had startled it so, for the pathetic creature wouldn't have had the audacity to rush at him.

As it vanished from sight his gaze traveled down along the Palisade's depths, searching for the predator that had startled it so. Inhaling deeply he attempted to catch a scent from the air, but the wind was working against him, tunneling down toward the river and as he moved to delver deeper, it seemed to be pulling him along with it. To be caught unaware was dangerous in any situation, but especially so now when on such difficult terrain. Thus he worked his senses meticulously as his casual stride took him farther down.

It took only a few minutes further to finally locate the other man, and the king was rewarded for his diligence. It was a foreign wolf, a thing which held a high possibility of being lethal as winter closed in on them. While this other was resting upon the ground, Gent still knew better than to trust a single thing about him, much less his sanity. The closer the ice storms drew to them, the more certain it was that those who were on their own, were that way for a very specific reason.

Nonetheless, a chance would be given. There was time still that this man could be as any other traveler, and perhaps even useful to the Crest monarch. Given his dwindling male ranks, this certainly was not a possibility that he would pass up so easily. As he descended to this stranger's level, Gent let out a bark to garner his attention.

Gent's diligent eyes caught sight of the other man's tail rising behind him, coming as high as to be level with his spine. Taking this is a possible sign of aggression, the king slowed his steps, his own banner climbing higher into the air as a warning. Yet just as swiftly, the stranger relaxed, and thus did the blueblack leviathan, regaining the same casual speed of approach. What could be taken as a friendly expression took up residence on this other's face, and Gent was tempted to mirror the expression as Salix referred to him as lad. It had been a long time since the monarch had been acknowledged as youthful, and yet as he looked upon this foreigner, he was reminded of himself in his yearling days.

Settling on a small but wry smile, Gent drew to a stop a few yards from his company, a respectful but comfortable distance for a conversation to be had between them.

"Dangerous thing to do, out here in the open," he commented casually, pale eyes scanning their surroundings for a brief moment before flickering back to Salix's presence. Direct as usual, Gent chose to continue with "it's getting a little late in the season to be out on your own."

An accent. It persevered no matter how lengthy his sentences became, and rather than being reminded of @Kjors he chose to think instead of the more fond recollection of @Hecate. It gave him reason to be curious about the origins of this stranger, if perhaps he'd even come from a similar region to the girl, transferring his focus from how determined the man was to make sure Gent knew that he was not naive. Yet Gent was pulled back into the words themselves when the man easily revealed he was indeed looking for a home. Quickly forming an honest image of the stranger, the timbers king did not feel the need to proceed with any extra caution.

"Gent Lieris," he returned, pulling his hindquarters under him as he reclined. His tail swept through the thin layer of snow as he curled it into himself, wrapped against his left flank. His pale eyes regarded him in silence for a moment longer, before he flatly asked, "What do you have to offer a pack?"

They needed more able bodies to make it through the winter, but the pack was not desperate by any means. While he was seeking recruits, especially males, he would not allow just any wolf within his domain, and he certainly wouldn't allow one in blindly. They could easily leave here together, under a mutually beneficial agreement, but it had to be just that.

The man seemed to take a moment to reflect before answering, and the king awaited the words that would come with patience. That the wolf appeared to be taking the question seriously was worthy of his time, and once the fugacious thought was completed the answer given was satisfactory. A background of general training was appealing to Gent, though he for a while now he had been hoping to find someone with healing skills so that he could relinquish the role from himself unto them. Yet those who were skilled in hunting and defending would always be useful within his eyes, and as Salix provided his own well-muscled bones as testament to the veracity of his claim, the monarch could only agree that he seemed a suitable find. Yet, as he would be quick to inform Salix, skill was not the only qualification necessary.

"That's half of it," he answered him with a small smile of his own. The leviathan, at this point, felt comfortable to be a bit more elaborate with his words as he continued. "We've got numbers, but I've seen firsthand how lethally harsh the winters here can be, especially for a pack as far north as mine. I'm lookin' for wolves like you to ensure we remain strong, no matter what's thrown our way. It's always a risk, letting someone new into the fold. But there's degrees, and I'm not willing to put more on the line for any wolf than what they're worth," he informed him, the smile fading as he spoke with gravity. It could not be mistaken how seriously the king took the subject at paw.

"I've gotta know if you're worth the risk, and that comes down to more than what skills you have." Above all, Gent needed honesty and commitment within his ranks.