Nearly two weeks had passed since Achilles returned with word about the wayward Shamaness, and Penthesilea was eagerly awaiting her return. There were so many things she wished to discuss with the horn-wearing wolf that the days seemed to drag on more than usual. Of course she knew that Yakut moved at her own pace, never one to let others rush her unless told to do so by the trees or rocks or whatever else she spoke to that day. And that strange male Achilles had mentioned Penthesilea's curiosity burned to know just what Yakut had learned from it. Pacing at her den during a quiet moment in the day the feathered Queen could do nothing but wait and hope that today would be the day Yakut would return. Orithia's health was improving but perhaps the Shamaness could procure some type of remedy for the small pup. Varia's pups needed to be looked at as well, they seemed healthy so far, but one could never be certain of how the effects of being abandoned at birth could affect a pup later on in life.
Today she would reach the border, today she would be home once more and today she could remove all of the Queen's prior worries. So much she had learned and experienced during her time away from the pack, knowledge that had the pack not fallen to war and chaos she may have never gained. The spirits did indeed work in strange ways at times. Though she had met very few wolves in that time, having tended to outright avoid them, the one that stuck in her mind the most was The Necromancer. He had many things to teach her and it was quite unfortunate that his gender was of the offending type, but those spirits always looking for a laugh. While she had gained a great knowledge of things from him there was indeed more she could learn, the forest had told her so, but that was for another time, the urgency was for her to get home. Once things were settled there then perhaps they would seek out each other again to further their knowledge once more.
Gliding through the trees Yakut listened to their whispering, though they were unusually quiet today. She knew where she needed to go, angling her paws towards the Queen's den. When she spotted the pale wolfess pacing back and forth at the mouth of the den Yakut's maw tugged into a smile. "Calm yourself my Queen else you wear a trench in the ground."
Her paws halted to an immediate stop and she turned to face Yakut. That voice she would recognize even if she hadn't hear it in years. "Yakut, it is so good to see you once more." Padding forward Penthesilea came to a stop a few feet in front of the Shamaness and tipped her head slightly. "It has been too long that we have been without you. I thought..."
Dipped her head into a bow Yakut brought her weary paws to a stop. "You thought I would not return?" Yakut chimed in before the Queen could finish that sentence. "Nonsense. This is my place until my life has left my body and I am no more." Giving her head a soft shake to readjust her headdress, Yakut then lowered herself onto her haunches. It had been a long journey even at a mostly casual pace. For months she had been wandering about, following the voices of the forest, but now she was home and could finally rest.
"Your heart is heavy with worry my Queen, not just because of my absence, and yet the pack thrives." Casting her eyes out Yakut looked about the den sight, there wasn't as many wolves around as before the war but that was somewhat expected, many of their sisters had fallen in those days and even more after the pack dissolved. "Not as many as before, but still a good number. And many new lives running around. Your heir among them. How is the child doing? Still sickly?" She paused for a moment and then brought up a subject that perhaps the Queen would not expect. "And your consort, is he still the way he was when I met him?" For now she wouldn't explain what way Achilles had been when they had met, she would let the Queen interpret that question on her own.
"No I never thought you wouldn't return, just imagined it would not have taken this long. So much has happened in your absence." The queen signed as Yakut seemed to practically read the worry that coursed through her veins. "There have been many things on my mind and not enough time to deal with them all properly."
Her eyes followed Yakuts as she looked into the woods. "We are few but still strong, and hopefully will grow stronger with time." She nodded slowly when Orithia's health was brought up. "Yes, she is still sick, but slowly she seems to be gaining her strength to fight off whatever ails her." Hopefully now that Yakut was back she would be able to figure out what was causing the princess to continually fall ill and cure it. Ears perks forward a moment. "How he was when you met him? I'm not sure what you mean, Achilles is not a typical submissive slave that's for sure."
Yakut nodded slowly as the Queen spoke, yes things would get better with time but her focus was on the all important questions regarding her consort and the heir. "I shall look at her tomorrow, see what can be done." It was rare for a pup to stay sick for this long, but clearly the female had some of her mothers, and grandmothers, strength.
"No." She stated firmly and then reached up with her paw to tap Penthesilea on the forehead a few times. "Not just unlike a slave, don't say what's on your mind, but what's in your heart."
She felt like a puppy being scolded when Yakut tapped her on her head. Now she understood what she had misinterpreted from the earlier question. "You mean the fact that we care for each other and see it more than just duty?" Admitting, even vaguely that she had feelings for Achilles was still a bit unsettling.
So what she had read from Achilles was true, the consort did love the Queen and it would seem that Penthesilea held similar feelings for the molted male. "Yes, that's it. But you must tread carefully my Queen, it is not something that happens in our pack." Giving her head a shake Yakut tried to ignore the nagging feeling that this love could turn bad, later she would consult the stones about this.
"I understand the risks Yakut, which is why I am not taking this lightly." Standing the Queen motioned for Yakut to follow. "We have had your den prepared for your return. Iosef has cleaned it daily." They walked for a short time before arriving at the den, which was located in between her own and those of her advisers and guards."
As they walked Yakut took a moment to look upon the rocks along the path. Yes there was much work to do here, it was a good thing she returned when she did. This certainly explained the urgency she had been told of earlier before her run in with Necromancer. And while she and him still had some unfinished business her place was here and now. "It is fortunate that I have returned when I did, I see much to do."
"I am relieved that you are back and I know there is much to be done. But you have traveled far and need your rest." Bringing her paws to a stop just outside of Yakut's den she looked at her most trusted adviser and friend. "We can speak more in the morning." Turning she went to leave and looked back for a moment. "Welcome home." Padding off she had a lot to think on, duties to attend to and Orithia to check on.
Yakut nodded, yes they could speak more in the morning. Watching the Queen depart Yakut then turned and slipped into her den. It was horribly empty, she would need to replace all her items that had been lost in the war, those items that were important to her role. For now she did need some rest and now that she was back in Antianeira perhaps she could finally have restful sleep once more.
