Her gait was intent and sure as she approached the chosen border of the land she found most fit for her aspirations. Her eyes were trained intently forward into the endless darkness, her slightly wavering tail just below her spine to display her ambivalence to any passing locals. Hestia had come here with a purpose – to prove a worthy ally, and build a reputation as solid as her father’s. The scent grew stronger with each of her strides, and ears twitched with anxious excitement. Of all the territories in these lands, this one caused a resonance to ring deep within her chest, with a robust pulling accompanied by strong vibrations telling her that this place, this territory, was where she needed to settle. Perhaps it was a sign from Lupus, or perhaps she was just going a little bit insane from travelling alone for oh so very long. Regardless, she was thankful for the verging change, as she operated better when she knew she wasn’t alone. Her ears swiveled as she heard a rustling to her far right, her head following the sound instinctively. Alas, it was merely a fleeing hare, likely startled by her sudden appearance.

Meanwhile, she was planning every outcome to every situation in her subconscious. It was merely second nature to Hestia – she was taught at a young age to be methodical about the most precarious or important circumstances. With a small chuckle, Hestia found herself begin to relax slightly, as she could sense no immediate danger while she was treading this close to the borderlines. It was now very apparent to her how long she had been away from another member of her species, as nervous excitement crept its way up her back and to the tips of her ears. Her shoulders were sore from the constant movement, her muscles screaming in protest with each step. She was thankful that her journey would soon come to an end... At least, she hoped.

Once Hestia had come as close to the boundary as she dared, she rested back on her haunches and took in her surroundings for a few moments. The territory was quite the change from Gyldan, she noticed, as it was more like the Marsh of her homeland - exceedingly dark in the most beautiful way. The more this territory resembled a part of her old home, the easier it would be for her to settle here. Although the chill nipped at her cold nose, she found no reason to find shelter now, not when she was so close to sanctuary. Another howl sounded a ways off to her right, and although she felt the need to see another face after so many months of wandering, she decided she would wait for such gratification. Hesitating no longer, Hestia tilted her head back, parted her maw, and sang out to the pack wolves, calling for them to greet her.

Oh, how grateful to Lupus she was, finally having the chance to be a part of a family once more.

The sunlight danced between the branches of dead foliage before her eyes. A ever changing kaleidoscope of shade of light mixed with the falling snow. Blinking her eyes against the onslaught that dare wage war with her vision she pressed on into the snow, looking for relief for her amber gaze. Above the dark fae lay a canopy of tree branches, each carrying their burden of snow. She could hear the snap and groan of the trees, moaning in pain as the weight became too much and their load fell to the floor below. A large crack came suddenly and the swift Alphess dodged a moment before a pile of snow fell to her paw steps, covering them in a blanket. A smirk graced her face, a defeat for the tree, but a win for herself. Her path continued, bringing her ever closer to her sought place, the border.

It was a bit ago she had heard on the wind a chilling howl, one that held promise to her ears. Taking it upon herself the dark fae rose from her resting place and journeyed forth, covering ground as determination replaced fatigue in her body. Her pack was growing, more by the day. With each new face Chiara saw promise, one more loyal member to make her remember why she had settled here in the months before. Soon she knew their numbers would expand to include young, but this would not pass until the next spring. For now her members were to better their personal bests, to make something of themselves. Chiara knew Teren lay south of them, waiting like a serpent to strike at her happy life; they must all be ready. The fae planned more training in her mind against the silence of the woods, her thoughts seemed to echo into the shadows.

After a ways her paws came to stop at a small clearing. A wolven figure sat a good leap away, waiting just as she was. Her figure seemed strong, young and promising; just what Chiara wanted. Walking closer the Alphess let her tail raise as was now habit. Chiara was small to most everyone around her, but made up for her lack of stature in a regal sense. Her posture demanded respect, as did her gaze at the fae. "Greetings fae. I am Chiara, Alphess of these lands. Who are you and why have you called me here?" She questioned avoided the irony of the moment. Of course she knew why she was here, though the fae never assumed anything these days.

Thundercloud gray eyes drew an assortment of lines in the cerulean canvas above her, partially as a way to pass the time, and to pray to her father for guidance on such an important trial in her new life. A faint smile spread across her maw as she searched the sky, tilting her head to the side, further allowing her mind to wander. She reminisced about her kin, all of the lessons she had been taught over the course of her travels, and the various creatures she had met. Hestia sighed in a content manner, happy now that the hardest circumstances in her quest for betterment were finally settled. Her heart rested easily in her chest, beating a slow, strong song – the ballad of her ancestors, no less. Her uncle once said that she had a heartbeat similar to her deceased aunt, the same one she was named after. This was one of the first instances that Hestia had felt overwhelming pride in her family heritage, and she felt that much more confident remembering the strong feeling filling her chest. She knew she had the aunt of her namesake running alongside her, assisting her with every decision that needed to be made. She felt complete with this belief.

Her train of thought drifted to her siblings and how they were faring. Had Poseidon already driven Gyldan into the ground, or was he running it smoothly with the help of the others, Aphrodite and Apollo? Was Cerberus mellowing out, finally coming to terms with the cruel loss of his parents and the destruction of Lethe? Queries bounced around her head like flies around her ears, pushing her near to the point of agitation. The reason she had left Evalos in the first place was to get away from such anxiety-inducing, trivial matters. Now was her chance to start anew. She did not wish to spoil it with worries that could not be resolved, anyhow.

Hestia woke from her daydreams as a dark female trotted into her field of vision. Her posture was royal, her tail held in an elegant manner, her eyes showing the certainty of her control. The silver traveler dipped her head as a display of respect to the Alphess, as was custom, but raised her tail to level with her spine to show the pride in her demeanor, as well as her general attentiveness. She wanted to be positive this wolf was not the selfish, power-hungry sort that she had met so many times in her journey, for she was a punching bag to none. The dark Alphess’s aura did not come off as such (which was refreshing, in and of itself), but Hestia felt this was as good a time as ever to display her self-confidence, for it was foolish to hide a certain aspect of one’s self in hopes for social acceptance. “I have signaled you for a simple reason, Alphess Chiara; I have been wandering for many moons in search of a home to rest my paws,” She took a look around the pair, the magnificence beckoning her to come and explore. “This land seems to exceed my expectations, and I would like to ask for acceptance into your pack.”

Her respectful yet confidant manner did not go unnoticed by the Alphess. All too often new comers fell into two categories. Those who groveled at her feet, begging her practically for a chance and those who seemed to not care at all. The latter would never show her respect and act like total fools in front of her. This nameless fae seemed to not fall into either category, for she seemed respectful and still confidant. However, Chiara wasn't pleased that a name hadn't been given in all her talk about simplicities of joining her pack. "What is your name?" She asked, more firmly this time, "If you request such a simple thing as joining my ranks you need to provide your identity to me." She said, her voice a bit gruff now.

Her posture remained regal yet stoic to her growing annoyance. Standing ever as tall and proud as before it was only her voice that changed course to this wanderer. "I run a tight ship around this pack. Everyone pulls their own weight, trains in multidiscipline and helps teach each other. Tell me fae what do you excel in? What path do you seek in my lands?" she questioned, still waiting for her first answer. "I also need to know of your background. What training you have and of the running of your past pack. You will find my ideals far different than the packs south of us. I must know if we shall sit you."

Hestia, recognizing her mistake and seeking to mend it, chuckled internally at herself. Despite the now brusque tone of the Alphess, the traveler remained level-headed and calm, offering no change in her exterior. ”A thousand pardons, Alphess. My name is Hestia.” She relayed evenly, willing the guttural throwback of the dark female’s words to roll off of her shoulders, like rain off of a duck’s back. It simply wouldn’t matter, in the long run. With each passing sentence, Hestia found that there was a likeness shared between this Alphess and her uncle Hades; she was no stranger to the tight ship he ran, and the unconventional way that he conducted his wolves. Yes, this land, this pack, would be perfect. “I have brought a pack away from the face of certain destruction as a result of my keen sense of strategy and persistence. I can assure that more unruly members of a pack are kept in line, if need be.” Hestia felt relaxed, identifying her personal assets and what she could offer up to the dark Alphess.

Recalling a foul memory, her ears drew back and her gaze was cast to the ground – her voice remaining ever clear and sure. “War is not a concept I am unfamiliar with, Alphess Chiara. If there are foes that wish to compromise your pack, your family, then I will fight fang and pelt to eliminate them. Such is my duty.” She dipped her head once more to further enforce her creed, before returning to her previous calm posture. “My background is a royal, though humble one; I was raised in the ways of the Alpha. My mentor has given me a wide range of guidance, from battle, to hunting, caring for a fellow warrior… I always failed in the deeper aspects of healing. The most experience I have, though, falls under leadership.” It was customary in her previous lands to outline her great characteristics and her shortcomings as well, for there was little to be gained in being placed in a rank that one could not fulfill. “I was the Alpha of my past pack, the same one I have resurrected from turmoil.” Her tail swished gently as she remembered the strength of the previous members, their growing pride and belief in their own. “I do not care to take all of the credit – it was their hope that brought us back to greatness.”

Clearing her throat, she stilled her tail and continued. “You did not come here to listen to my life’s tale, but that is the antecedent to my chosen path in this territory. I wish to build a legacy, with a solid reputation. As any female of my upbringing, I wish to climb the ranks once more, and to serve my pack to the best of my ability. I assure you, Alphess, whatever ideals you may have, I will arduously strive to meet them.”

The silver warrior was not much of a conversationalist, and the long rambling she had done put a strain on her humility. To correct herself, she quietly added on, “You surely did not respond to my call to have your time wasted, dear leader, so forgive my timely blather. My words will be meaningless until I have proven my loyalty, and my worth.”

Better, much better. Visibly Chiara showed no change as the fae finally spoke her name, internally however she felt relived. Now she wouldn't have to be the bad cop to this prospect, no now they could speak like civilized wolves. "Bold words you speak about greatness and leading a pack to salvation. Tell me though if you have so much knowledge and royal blood to you why have you left your natal pack?" She questioned, inclining her head as she spoke. More words spilled from her maw. Those contained her surprisingly vast aray of knowledge and then the fact that she was once an Alphess herself. Again Chiara wanted to know why she would abandon her pack, "If you were the Alphess why did you leave them, or did they leave you? I need loyal wolves in my pack not those who run off when the going gets tough. We all aspire to greatness here, yet some can't make the journey and get lost along the way."

Peering at her with her amber eyes Chiara remained studious and stoic in her appearance. She didn't want to give away to the other what she was thinking, for the cloak over her thoughts was the only form of privacy she had, or anyone had. "Tell me, Hestia, why seek out my small and growing pack. Why cast forward your undying loyalty and commitment to my laws without first hearing them? There are packs near us that would mock the very words I speak. Those of equality and mutual respect. Some call me soft, while other's call me a fool. Tell me, where do you stand in these politics? Do you believe in fairness for all members without prejudice for rank or gender?" She questioned, her voice a tad stronger now. "You sound well rounded. With your background you'd make a fine warrior, but would you be content with that?" She now asked, the thought pondering her mind that this fae may even try to over throw her throne, no that would now be allowed. "Worth? You wish to show me your worth?" Chiara asked, mulling this over."Tell me what worth you think you hold?" She hadn't meant to sound cruel, yet her words stung the air as they exited her mouth.

OOC; This is a really, really long reply. I got in the groove and it was hard to stop writing – but it is one of the best posts I have ever written, so I hope I don't blow it.

Although her unperturbed appearance gave little tell to her internal thought process, she was appalled at the first pair of the Alphess’s inquiries; she felt a subtle assumption on the superior’s part, yet there was always a chance she could merely be imagining such. ’Deserted. Rejected. Forsaken… Abandoned.’ These were all phrases used in every interrogation she had been brought muzzle-to-muzzle with. Even those of another species who had could not even begin to comprehend the concept of the gregarious nature of wolves would prod her with demeaning questions, questions that forced the former leader to her breaking point. Hestia would not admit it, nor show it, but she was always a little more irrational and emotional when probed for her true reason for leaving. In truth, she could not give an answer that the unspiritual would understand. It was merely… a feeling. A knowing that her destiny did not reside in Gyldan, nor Evalos. ”I beg your pardon, dear Sovereign, if I may interject.” Hestia swallowed, her tone strengthening, becoming vastly clearer. ”I did not leave my brothers and sisters in a punishing, strenuous time. We were not even reaching the peak of our amity when I had bid them all farewell. I had spoken to my confidants, my advisors, and told them of the burden growing within my chest, the boulder bearing down on my shoulders. They advocated my departure, and pushed me to follow through with it. In spirit, they are always with me. I left the pack in capable paws.” Destiny was a major thing amongst the Gyldan wolves, and it was a law that no other could infringe on one’s right to their chosen path. Finding solace in the soothing, weathered faces of her elders reminded Hestia that she was not in the wrong for following her fate. To expand on her point, as well as to clear up any other ponderings, she continued softly. ”There are those, Alphess, who are born into royalty. Who are destined to be called Alpha without lifting a paw in favor of others, who stamp on the bodies of their pack-mates for their own selfish gains, and so on.”

She gave a glance towards Chiara, assessing her demeanor once more. Hestia could not know for sure, but she would make an educated inference that the other had toiled much in her lifetime, and that her words were ones she could relate to. At least, she hoped.

”I was born into the commanding position, such is the truth, but I will never settle for being labelled as one of those characters. I may be knowledgeable, and I thank my God every day to have been granted such admirable tutors to sustain to me that genius. I have strained for it. Those that carry golden honor, those that have pure allegiance, they have worked their paws crimson to get where they are today. My quest for a legacy is not nearly finished, but my Fate’s compass is in tune, and I will not be led astray.” Taking a breath, Hestia soon reassured herself that she was not in the wrong for her actions leading to this point – loyalty was not an issue for her. As she heard the next words of the Alphess, there was a moment of puppy-like excitement bouncing around her head. The back of her neck tingled with gleeful anxiousness, for this was where her path had led her. Destiny had not been wrong yet. ”I sought out a pack where I could find my own future… I sought a pack I could help build, to learn the other ranks and the contributions they make – in truth, Alphess, happiness is all I wish to see. My next utterances may not make sense, but they are firm and unwavering in my head – it is a concept that I have lived with my entire life, and I will not yet leave it.”

She directed her gaze to the trees around them, to the snow lying across the land as a beautiful blanket of white – Hestia had always found comfort in the winter time, for snow was the hue of her mother. There was a constant back and forth between the pair of wolves standing there, a sort of battle of syntax between the two – as a precaution, Hestia had thought of it as if the Alphess was trying to back her into a corner, to get her to slip up. The fae worked much better under pressure, and she remained mellow. ”As soon as I had stepped foot near this land, I felt complete. The fire within me that was soon to be lost was ignited once more, and being in your presence, I know you would be a formidable Alphess to serve under. Your aura radiates resilience and equality, and this territory sings a song of unity. I know by the air and by the ideals you hold that align with my own, that I belong here.”

When Chiara spoke of the other congregations around them, Hestia nodded in agreement. She had passed by a few territories on her way to this border, and a couple of them screamed corruption and despair. Those lands stirred an unwelcome, churning feeling in her stomach, and she knew to stay away from them. ’Unless we were to meet in battle, of course.’

”Gender does not play a factor in one’s worth. Neither does rank. Every unit provides their all to keep the larger system balanced; so it is customary to pay them the respect and fairness that they deserve.” Hestia quirked a brow and perked her ears, listening with contentment at the leader’s words. Although her voice was growing intense with each spoken word, the fae remained expressionless. It had been a while since she had shared such an intriguing conversation with another member of her species. ”If I am named a warrior, then a warrior is what I shall be. Do not expect for me to remain there forever, Alphess. I know my abilities, and I wish to provide much more than that.”

’Tell me what worth you think you hold?’

The cold words echoed in Hestia’s mind like the raspy, bellowing mockery of the rogue that she had thrown to her packmates. It wasn’t the tone of the Alphess that made the female flinch, but the memory linked with it. The fire of her pride roared within her once more, and she smiled grimly, meeting gazes with Chiara for the duration of her sentence; not to challenge, but to show the iron firmness of her belief.

”I know as well as I know my father’s final message, that I have value. Every life holds worth – from the stags we feast upon, to the omegas that serve us for comic relief, to the most admirable Alphas, to the holiest of our Gods. I know I have value for I have prayed for it, screamed for it, bled for it – and because I am not afraid to prove my worth to you, Alphess Chiara, I will go through the hell I have endured once more.”

Chiara smirked as she felt the passion ooze from Hestia. Such strength and pride rang out as she spoke that it nearly pushed Chiara back. "I have no doubt you left your pack in capable hands, yet I still wonder why you left them other than to find a sense of self worth. I can understand the need to find bigger and better things, but to stay with your pack is a oath we Alpha's commit to since we hold leadership." She said, still curious about her departure. "There is no doubt in my mind you are trained well and have good intentions, I however must question your loyalty. I wish not to invest resources and time into a recruit who would turn and leave me to find solstice elsewhere." She warned, eyeing the grey fae.

"I hold no qualms against you leaving your last pack for mine. I cant hold that kind of judgment on you when I myself left my last pack for here. Yes, I left as the Beta after I was demoted by the tyrant of an Alpha. My own daughter is still in that pack called Erenyx, for Teren's twisted mind has infiltrated her judgment. I shalt hold false judgment on you, but I still require loyalty here." She explained. "I sought a beteer purpose then to be a pawn in a blood thirsty army. I wished to come to these lands to build a better future." She admitted.

Hestia continued to speak, mainly just driving home her strengths and reasons for coming here. At the end of her speech she mentioned, no nearly threatened that the rank of Warrior would not stay with her. That she wanted more and would fight for it with every ounce of her soul. "Careful about making demands," she warned, her hackles now raising slightly. "You may have been a Alphess, but don't except to let that carry you further in this pack. I am still the leader here and hold all say to gaining rank here." Her voice bellowed out. True this fae would probably not stay in a low rank forever, but she didn't appreciate being reminded of this with such force. Relaxing a bit after a moment the Alphess spoke again. "I shall give you a chance at solstice here. I see greatness in you and the willingness to bend to my ways as they seem to reflect your own morals. I shall allow you entrance into my pack as a Warrior, but heed my warning. The rank of Warrior holds much promise. I myself was a warrior in my last pack. I learned more in those season then a lifetime as a high rank. Hold the rank with dignity and pride." She explained. "For now you shall enter as a warrior, but shall be trained and watched closely. Trust and respect is earned here both for you and against you. I also need your verbal pledge of allegiance towards myself, my mate Magnus and my pack as a whole. Dedicate yourself to us, join our family, but abandon us and the punishment will be severe." She warned. Her tail swayed slightly as she waited for her response.

There was truly another facet to the reason she had left – but she felt no need to disclose that to the leery Alphess. Hesta could talk on and on for many moons on how she would not betray another’s trust, as it was against her morals and personal character. The former leader merely nodded in acceptance, for she could not expect Chiara to give her full and complete respect when they were foreigners to one another. The justice-centered aura of the dark Alphess could be a fluke, meant to hide her true colors. There was no way the silver fae could have known otherwise… so she resigned herself to watching the sovereign with great care, to know if she could truly trust her, and provide everything she could for her pack. Hestia would not want to advance a dishonorable system by offering her paw as a stepping stone to power. ”Perhaps there will be another time, after I have shown my seriousness and loyalty, where I can further explain my past life. I will not reveal everything about myself in this one encounter, when I hardly know more than your title and name…” She paused for a brief second to contemplate her next thoughts, before continuing once more. ”I can sympathize with your scrutiny, as well as your doubt in my loyalties. Such is fitting of an Alpha. I would be more concerned if you had accepted me within the blink of a stag’s eye.”

She silenced herself as she listened to the Alphess’s tale, shuddering as the word Erenyx reached her. The word left a putrid feeling in her mind, felt harsh against her ears, and the air around them suddenly seemed impure. Having kin within the clutches of evil elicited a feeling she knew all too well… and she could only feel empathy for Chiara, could only make a goal to strive arduously to make a change.

Chiara’s energy became more defensive, although it still brimmed with confidence, her voice edged with a warning. ”Pardon me, dear Alphess; I did not mean to come off as dictatorial or imperious. My rank in my previous pack means nothing here, rest assured - I have come to terms with it, and have no regrets in my decisions. I did not once think that my experience as a head would put me above others. Such a thought disgusts me.” Hestia mulled over what could have sounded threatening or demanding in the auds of the other party, and soon came to the conclusion that she had gotten lost in her passion and drive to show her worth. Although she knew that she was no longer a leader, and she had no power here, she still held a few characteristics that she would need to ease. A warm feeling of relief washed over the iron-pelted female as the other's aura settled and soothed; and as it did, she shook the tension out of her fur with a sigh of renewal. ’Dignity is my protection, and pride is my strength.’

”Have no worries, Alphess Chiara. My title as warrior, I will accept it with my greatest gratitude, and will hold it with the same devotion that I held my royal name.”

Her eyebrow cocked as the female opposite of her made a warning, and part of Hestia wanted to snicker. She had endured many a punishment within her short lifetime… And she was not afraid. The possibility that she would betray these wolves was so unbelievably minute that it could definitely be rendered as impossible. Once she had asserted her loyalty, she was more willing to lose her limbs than to recant her oath. Clearing her throat, and once more aflame with her intensity, she spoke again. ”I, the Hero of Gyldan, vow myself to this land. My covenant spurs me on to give everything in my power to the Alphess Chiara, the Alpha Magnus, and the wolves themselves as a family. I devote my support, integrity, and honor to this congregation. These words, I speak with all sincerity, and may I be damned if I am to break the faith that binds this oath.”

It was a promise to Lupus, so surely, there would be no going back now.

Chiara stood silently, the only sound was the flits as snow fell around her. The fae's words increased and so did her faith in her. Before her stood a potential warrior, not an untrustworthy rogue. The leader smiled, letting her expressions show for the first time. Please with her words and dedication she stood and dipped her head to Hestia as she made her pledge. Another time they would speak of pasts, but for now she had heard all she had needed to. "I accept your pledge of loyalty. To reward you you shall be now named Warrior Hestia of Pyrvanthros." She said warmly, bringing her gaze back up from the snow. "Feel free to scout out the lands, mingle and train. I shall keep my eye on you for training opportunities in the future for I see potential in you." She then said turning to leave. "Follow me to your new home Hestia." She finished, her paws already moving back towards the pack lands.

ooc-You may now change your name to Warrior Hestia. You can also add yourself to the rank Pyrvanthros under the "ranks" tab-this will turn your name purple. You may post anywhere in Pyrvanthros or the neutrals.