Welcome to Gaia! ::

Just what had he expected to hear, that he seemed so relieved with her answer. Well, never mind. She had been wondering whether he would ask about the alternative.

“If you do not pass, you may remain with the pack, of course. Usually, you would become an omega and care for the pups.” Though, you were less sought-after as a mate, but that was only natural. “However, a few choose to leave the pack and seek lives elsewhere. It is their choice. Sometimes, they choose to try again next year so that they might rise in rank and be a fully fledged member of the pack.” It was rare, though, and only two tries were allowed in one’s life. Still, the option remained.

“Regardless, most manage to pass their test.”

Rest here awhile? My, what an open-ended invitation. Perhaps she would take him up on his offer. Surely there were many tales in a pack that acted as a sanctuary. Surely there were many kinds of wolves here who could tell her their stories. Their histories. Their triumphs. Their woes.

“And what would be my part?” she asked. “If I were to linger here a while.”

Senka cringed at the thought of minding pups. In her pack, she had rarely dealt with them, for she was far too busy training under Bryanni. No. Pup-watching sounded like too much trouble. Border patrols could be amusing, but she was not certain that she would really qualify for the job. After all, she was merely a very temporary guest. She would probably not stay for more than a few days. A few weeks, at most. Fishing? She had never done such a thing. Hunting? She was perfectly capable of that. She could certainly volunteer her services for such a duty without qualms. Then Balios gave his last suggestion and Senka let out a hearty laugh.

“So, I can earn my keep by simply fulfilling my duties as a storyteller, hmm?” She snorted and rose to her feet, eyes still gleaming with mirth. “Very well, then. Lead the way.”

“That was my intention,” she replied easily. “I hope to make good use of my time here. But you say your allies are warriors?” Interesting. Senka would enjoy meeting another warrior pack. How would their ways differ from hers? Were they very strong? But there was one other tidbit that she had picked out. “Why should my being female make a difference?”

Female warriors? Fascinating. Though, Senka was not sure about keeping males as slaves. In her pack, males were as likely to be warriors as females, and they were both strong and skilled. It seemed like such a waste to keep males as slaves. For that matter, how did they even manage it? Though, if two of Balios’s brothers went willingly, perhaps their lot was not so bad? Senka cocked her head at him.

“Why would your brothers willingly go into slavery?” It was something that Senka could not understand. Who would willingly go into servitude? The very idea was anathema to the wandering storyteller, who reveled in her freedom. Perhaps they had not had a choice? He had said that the females sent the male pups here to be raised. Perhaps a certain percentage of them had to return? Hmm…

Some deliberately sought out a life of servitude? Corinth wanted to be told what to do? There were such strange creatures in this world. Love, though, love she could understand. Perhaps she had never experienced the emotion herself, but she knew countless stories lauding the powers of love. Its sway. Its strength. Apollo, she could understand, though going into slavery for it still seemed a bit odd to her. Well. Perhaps the princess would treat him kindly.

“I’m afraid you’ve gotten my curiosity piqued,” Senka confessed. “I will have to visit this pack once I leave here. What is it called? Would you tell me more about it?”

“Well, I will learn more about them when I visit,” she said, realizing that she was neglecting the present. After all, was it not best to learn about a place when you were actually there rather than from afar, though outside perspectives also had their value? Still, she was here and she ought to focus on this unusual pack rather than another.

“So enough of that. Tell me more about your pack. How many wolves are here? You say this place is like a sanctuary. Do your members rotate often? How do you even manage to keep track of everyone?” Truly, this was an unusual pack and it did rouse her curiosity the more she thought about it. How was it able to maintain a proper structure if so many members came and went? Was there a core group that stayed all of the time? How did it function?