Stonewatch Timbers Two bottles of whiskey for the way

Other than searching for food that harsh winter ago with Sagacity or Chulyin, this was Gent's first true experience in what the role of a scout might be like. He'd certainly never been trusted with a message before, and while the occasion was truly incidental, he still fully intended on utilizing this as an important lesson in one of his more lacking skills. After all, if he was to become leader, he would need to know more than how to give orders; he wanted to be completely familiar with exactly what it was he would be asking his subordinates to do.

Thus, he was careful to catalog every key word Naia spoke into his permanent memory so that he could perfectly carry along the message to Minka once the River second had taken her leave. He'd never heard of Rook, but he could faintly recall that Taima's last name had been Lyall. He scraped his memory banks to try and recollect if she had ever mentioned her family before Nomad's Pass, but nothing came to mind. Not surprising; he hadn't taken a personal interest in any of his packmates reserving the Nyanquets. Dismissing this possible connection, which would serve him no good unless he ran into Taima or another Lyall ever again, he focused instead on the listing of crimes.

It was clear that the River wolves faced a threat completely unlike that which had forced Minka to uproot and relocate her tribe. It seemed clear to Gent that there was no misunderstanding involved in this Rook's selfish pursuits and the trouble it had caused Naia and the rest. Nodding as she wrapped up her delivery of information, he realized that this meant they would have no guaranteed way of contacting their only allies until Maksim had settled upon a home.

"I expect Minka would appreciate someone coming to tell us of your new location once you've settled on one," he said, trying to anticipate the best solution to this possible problem. "Though we of course know the hardship involved in starting from the ground up. We'll find you, if need be."

He would take it upon himself to personally do so, if it came down to it.

Naia bowed her head, accepting the swarthy man’s request that Minka be informed of their permanent location once it was decided. It sounded simple enough, but Naia knew that he was asking for another half-moon’s travel from her at the conclusion of their very long journey, which was daunting to imagine to say the least.   “That would be me,” she spoke, for the first time wishing that being a runner didn’t require quite so much running.  She successfully kept the weariness out of her tone, but for a split second it was evident in her honeyed eyes before she turned away.  Perhaps Gent detected her fatigue despite her attempt to hide it, because his next suggestion released her from responsibility. Warmth returned to Naia’s gaze at the offer, and a small smile graced her muzzle.

“Either way, you are sure to hear from us soon.” When Gent offered no more words, Naia dipped her muzzle in farewell. “I look forward to meeting your new scout,” she said, turning to depart from the Round Stone Crest border. Perhaps the Crest leaders would send along whoever earned the new appointment to locate the River wolves; it would be the perfect mission to break in a brand new scout. The Timber lady hoped the Crest chose a new runner soon, so that Inali’s face would stop popping into her mind whenever she thought about passing information with the River’s allies. Naia didn’t let her tears for Inali well up until after she was already trotting away from Gent, footsteps quick despite her emotion-laden thoughts. 

(This post was last modified: Jun 18, 2015, 07:53 PM by Naia.)