Her pack was small still. Very small. Her brows knit as she sat outside of her den and watched the grass blow in the autumn breeze. It might still technically be summer, but the lands were changing. The leaves were turning colors, the air was cooler now. It was more tolerable for those with thicker coats. It also meant the end of summer rains were coming.
The whole pack would have to move up the rocks, change to their upper level dens. It would be more crowded, more cramped, but maybe, just maybe, the closeness would encourage her pack members to breed. They desperately needed pups. She doubted she could have them herself, and her daughter wasn't fit yet. Still very immature and dodging lessons that she needed in order to run the pack. Winterwind's brows knit even harder as she thought of her daughter, Frost Paw. A beautiful girl very, very similar to her mother and yet they were so very different.
Could Frost Paw really take over? So free natured, so easy to trust. Yet her and her Betrothed showed absolutely zero interest in one another. Maybe there would have to be another Game since the previous winner wasn't doing what was required of him. All of this weighed heavily on her. It made her so nervous and twitchy lately and that wasn't a very attractive quality to have in a Queen. Her tail thumped heavily on the rock behind her, kicking up dust and fur, causing her to sneeze because the breeze brought it right around to her nose.
Frost Paw would have to start taking lessons more seriously. Winterwind figured she's have to bombard her at breakfast every single day and drill her until at least supper if she wanted to hand over her metaphorical crown soon.
Would Frost Paw be alright without a Commander at her side? These were the questions that made her stomach clench. Frost Paw didn't need to be alone most of her life. Winterwind had already been through that. Until she found her Commander she'd been alone. Had a litter by herself, raised them, founded a pack when hers disbanded... But Frost Paw didn't show that much motivation. She wouldn't say her daughter wasn't strong, because females were strong. They provided life, but she didn't have the kick in the seat she needed.
"What do I do?"
Getting up again, Winterwind decided that she should probably take a walk. Going through her pack might provide some insight on what needs to be done to encourage growth. The location of the pack was good. It was perfect. There was protection, water, plenty of food. It might be a little harsh on the winters, but it wasn't as bad as places she had been. The summers weren't too hot, springs were long.
At least, this was her take on it. As she navigated her way down from the den, she stopped a few times to watch the bard practice. She'd met him when he scrambled back to the pack. He thought that there was a gang of other wild dogs after him. That proved fruitless, but the guards were still keen on keeping up with their boarders to make sure this threat wasn't going to start scaring her citizens.
Maybe she was too strict on certain rolls. This thought crossed her mind as she noticed most of the ones taking up higher positions were male. She didn't want to discourage females from rising to their full potential. They weren't breeders. Females could do anything! Was the equality that bad off? She licked her muzzle as she stepped towards the citizen dens. There weren't too many couples. Her ears flattened. Honestly, there wasn't much to bring the pack together but the rainy season and the Games that had passed over a year ago.
Maybe they needed an autumn celebration. Autumn brought different pray, different smells and tended to lifted spirits from those who couldn't weather the heat. She could possibly talk to the Commander about a fall celebration with plenty of food and some sort of entertainment. Maybe she could gather the bards together, to sing. Well, she'd get ideas from her Commander. Nothing was set in stone.
Her heart lifted a little. Walking was good for her thoughts after all. She moved to one of the freshwater ponds and lapped at it, drinking the cool water down quickly enough.
Maybe they could have a swimming race? That would be fun. The ponds around and marshes were deep enough. It was still warm through the day, warm enough for this activity to prove useful besides just a gathering. That idea was excellent! Winterwind's ears perked and she just let out a low laugh to herself before she walked a little faster. He green eyes were darting this way and that, watching the crafters do their trade, watching the hunting parties gather their members to provide a good supper for the stock pile.
Definitely her heart was getting lighter as she saw that the members she did have were happy. Maybe they could coax more wild dogs in with some sort of incentive? There was a lion pride that welcomed new members only very rarely and it wasn't a bad idea. Then again, that pride usually had members that knew about the pride. Winterwind's pack, the Pakiti Ya'jua, was a small, very small pack that apparently left things to be desired.
She would hold a pack meeting. That's what she would do. She would let the citizens speak their mind and tell her what they want to happen. That way she could get feedback right away instead of throwing events and getting feedback after the fact, or risk no one even showing up. That would be absolutely heartbreaking!
With a shake of her head, Winterwind greeted a few more members and continued on her tour of the pack. Small, quaint, comfortable... Home. It was her home, their home, and they had to have a say in it on what made them comfortable. It was part of being Queen. Her decisions affected every single dog in the pack, so she couldn't make them lightly.
Word Count: 1028