The discussion was well on its way. Raud didn't need to speak for most of it. The men had their favorite points and liked to show off their tactics to the leader. It had been like this during Egil's rule, also, so there were very few new arguments to be heard, though the men would gladly voice them. Egil had taut his boy to know what circumstances called for which head to lead. Full out war against the clans that knew a territory as advantageous as this one would be suicide, an abrupt end to Raud's story as the Bodil. But the men needed blood on their hands.<br/><br/>Raud found a few plans interesting, mostly the one where they tried to use the surroundings and set fire to sections to herd the men like wolves. Beating the people here at their own game by taking them out with fire would only serve to unite them. In the end, the Cindermen would have to turn the entire land into ashes. It didn't really show any strength to their enemies to light a few bushes. If their entire forest wasn't threatened, then perhaps their own politics would get in their way. Raud thought he'd rather get the sense of them before he engaged. That might be hard. They were afraid. People who hide are always afraid.<br/><br/>"They'll have to have a leader." Yorka said, usually too dumb to participate in debate. Egil had warned his son of underestimating simple people and the worth of their words. Yorka was right.<br/><br/>"I'll meet with him." The choice of gender was a courtesy to his men's sensibilities. He'd come across a few hiding clans during his warfare alongside his father where the leaders had been women.<br/><br/>It was around then that their air tensed up, strung out by the howl. The men looked at each other, Yorka even put his hand on his sword, but Raud lifted a palm, and when they looked at him, they understood what wolf must be singing. They soon continued with their prattle, but Raud had turned his head toward her part of the fence. A thought struck him.<br/><br/>The lengthy warrior stood and left the men to their discussion. He strode the distance fast and sat down beside his miserable wolf. It was an endearing image, not considering the animal was there against her will. A large hand went over her head and pressed along her spine. It wasn't a gentle kind of affection, how could it be from him, but it was a kindness, nonetheless.<br/><br/>"Varga." it was a bark of his own, deep and rumbling. He pulled her in with a lock around her neck, other hand petting her muzzle. "Listen Varga, do you know who leads the forest clans?" He was being unusually courteous, despite the rough handling. It was likely not going to last if she wasn't forthcoming. "How do I speak to them?" he asked and let go, shoving his forehead at hers. It was a challenging thing to do, but he owned her as far as he was concerned, so she had no honor to defend.