Marrok had lessened his pace as he quietly listened to Ylva’s tale while the small cubs continued to play in the tall grasses, there yipping in Wolf form echoed along the cavern walls before swirling within the bubbling waterfall.<br/><br/>“that is quite a tale Ylva,” he finally said when she had paused to see what he had to say, “This Kathar sounds very troublesome if not murderous and if he’s now with the Astralands, he’s most likely never to be trusted again…specially If he was your lover or mate… ---<i>well let us not speak of such personal things in such a loose atmosphere</i>,” as he half turned to her to speak. “There’s nothing you’ve said that I would have suspicions of if that is what you are looking for”, his eyes interlocked with hers for a brief moment.<br/><br/><i>…A surreal settling within his soul as he contemplated what these sudden feelings were all together, the intricate colors that so brilliantly dispelled itself upon him, like leaves falling off the trees in the early fall. A howling laughter as two frolic without worry nor fear, chips of earth and twigs being meshed upon their fur as a childish game of tag ensues, two adults suddenly cubs again before collapsing as one into a bed of crushed flowers and vines...</i><br/><br/>“ Avonlea….,” the words escaped through his lips though he caught himself as those who were walking with them stopped to look upon each other as if the name that was uttered was some phantom that they all shared within their dreams. “Sorry ---<i>all of you</i>. I am sure it’s improper to dispel old spirts upon our mysterious guest. I’ll ---<i>get to it then right?</i>Phanus!<i>Over here</i>--- please show Ylva to some room and board for I am sure a good bath is something she’s probably been longing for….I think we all need a little rest…” as he silently went ahead of the others, making the long trek to the most farthest branch of the life tree where his private hut had been built.<br/><br/>There was a set of steps and then walkway trails that were cut within the extremely thick wood of the tree, sanded down, and then carefully covered in saps and other ointments to solidify their etchings to prevent decay or damage from opening the precious bark. The trails lead to each hut that was built around it and at each large swirling turn, another set of steps that helped the climber get to the next level. There was pride and careful workman ship that went into this but it also proved to be another reason – with all of the heights, leaps, and intricate weaving walk ways, it became a natural trainer for agility and strength, particularly the cubs who were learning how to be agile wolves. Phanus Albrion was one clan member whose job it was to guide newcomers and explain to them what exactly living amongst the fjorn Valley wolves was like, directing them to those areas most wanted to know about such as the great hall for grievances, shops, the healer, oracle, and places of interest to include the multi-level town squares or a variety of merchants.<br/><br/>“ It is near dusk --- we will have a large banquet celebration within a few hours,” Marrok said, “ I’ll have some of the mid-wives showcase some dresses for you if you wish, we’ve got caravans full of them --- donated by the most gracious royal caravan’s from the east,” he said with a bit of a grin to his face.<br/><br/><i>And with that he had left Ylva with the others to mingle and get to know each other.</i><br/><br/><br/>“Don’t worry about him,” Phanus assured, his green eyes had a slight mirror shine to them, “In case you may be wondering ---<i>Avonlea was his previous mate</i>… she was very much an essential member of this pack but she had died a few years ago during an impromptu rescue mission when a neighboring village was being attacked by a combined war party of Orcs and Spire Venom wolves of the Dark Toothed ones. We weren’t able to save her as she made herself a living shield when some Dark Tooths attempted to ravage and kill a fellow set of homesteading wolves. It’s a dark history with us really --- they say once he saw her fell, Marrok became…<i>something else</i>…something a lot more fearsome. The story goes he had suddenly made the ground itself move and shake, swallowing the entire mob into ravines and suddenly collapsed the fissures he created right back up, crushing them all to death.<i>Do I believe the tale?</i>Maybe though I never had seen such a feat known or seen again so I’m not really entirely sure. I know that he hasn’t lain with another ever since --- her shrine is placed near the Great Vault. You may have seen it if you were paying attention. It’s a large stone plated door with strange runes. Our oracle lives by it --- you’ll probably meet her tonight if she comes by though she rarely visits the main community. There is a good ending though out of such tragedy, Marrok was left with a young daughter who he decided to name after their mother only it’s<i>Avonevah. </i>His daughter generally does everything what other young wolves do but she hasn’t spoken since her mother’s passing and very shy. I suspect it’s because Marrok has never raised cubs before and the entire league of packs look for him to lead the way so he’s quite busy. There is somewhat pressure upon him though to find a mate, even though this is a very open and transient way of life, most still cherish at least the tradition of a pack matriarch. He won’t hear it --- but nights of the full moon when we all must change true to form, you will most likely see him --- there perched upon the highest branch tip, playing the saddest serenade you can think of ever hearing. We call it ---<i>“The Song of the Lonesome Night”</i>. You probably are wondering why all of this is being said to you --- well I guess I’m the first to congratulate you into the family if you so wish to be, aside from some formalities and maybe even a standoff in case someone wants to test your resolve, you wouldn’t really be here much longer if you weren’t wanted around. We do things rather fast but accurate and I think you’ll really like it here once you begin to get used to it. Here is your temporary shelter --- it’s not too big but it’s not too small. The bath is in the back --- unless you would rather take a dip into the waterfalls down below – that is a favorite spot for most if you don’t care for company. You get hot water from the vines believe it or not --- the darker green vine is your hot water and the lighter vine is your fresh cold water. You just tug on it and it should filter out ---<i>Elvish magic is something else isn’t it?</i>Marissa and Portia should come by later… they are very friendly and greet most of the new female wolves that arrive. I have to warn you though --- when I said you may have to perform a standoff, it will be the females that will most definitely attempt to do so as they are very revered in the valley due to the male to female ratio. Particularly when they’ve already seen you and Marrok interact --- Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to assume anything but someone’s got to give you a heads up so it may as well be good old Phanus! I will leave you to it my lady --- and once again ---<i>welcome</i>,”<br/><br/><i>The jolly but trusted Pharrus then left Ylva to her own thoughts.</i>