An Interesting Repast

[Kitami Aklia]

Isonette pulled off another small chunk of her loaf of bread and flicked it into the street, her yellow eyes fixed on the two young rookie knights before her. They shifted under her gaze, both looking greatly uncomfortable. Birds of various kinds twittered as they darted after the bread she flicked into the street, pecking at the food and likewise each other. One pair fluttered up, inches past the child’s face, yet her gaze didn’t falter, she didn’t flinch, and that further unnerved the men, who squatted outside the tower playing a game of dice when they probably were not supposed to be playing such games. They had been playing these games all morning, and for the past ten minutes this child sat, flicking bread into the street alone just staring at them with her weird yellow eyes. Not wanting to back down under the gaze of a mere ten year old the men continued their game, but they grew ever more uncomfortable as Izzy stared on, her expression blank, and she continued to flick bread at the ever growing flock of birds.

Finally it seemed the younger of the two rookies could take no more of her stare and he stood from his crouch and turned, eying her, scratching at his scruff on his chin.

“Do you have a problem, little lass?” He spat, gripping his spear. Izzy’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she slowly raised her chin, peering at the two humans down her nose, as if she raised her muzzle. In wolf speak raising one’s muzzle was a challenge, the higher the face, the higher the rank. This was all instinctual, and awfully dangerous for a pup, but Izzy couldn’t help herself. These humans spent the last ten minutes nearly cowering under a pup’s gaze and then finally wanted a challenge? What would Papa say? He’d laugh at such a display of manhood, and Isonette could only do the same. Had this man been a real wolf he’d either dismiss Izzy or put her in her place entirely. Instead they shift and cower under her gaze like pups themselves and now challenge her. It was pathetically amusing.

The man did not seem to find the gaze amusing though, he sneered at the child, placing a hand on his hip. His comrade stood, gathering the dice and placing it in a pouch and stowing it away.

Oi, don’t be looking at me like some noble little crumpet when you’re dressed in bits of rags like you are!” The man snapped. Izzy’s lips twitched in a snarl and her eyes narrowed a bit more. She wore a summer dress that Kitami labored over for a week, and Isonette loved it. The dress was white with yellow trimming, simple enough, and to match it had yellow bows, but what made it special was that the shade of yellow was the same as that of her eyes. The dress was fine, but it was also clearly homemade as well. Kitami couldn’t afford the fine dresses Lachesis could afford. The insult stung more than if he directed it at one of the fine dresses her Papa got her. The remaining bread in Izzy’s hand crushed in her grip, and a growl escaped from the child, the growl sound a tad inhuman, but the rookies couldn’t hear. They just looked satisfied from getting a reaction from her. Isonette stepped forward, sending the little birds clustered in front of her off into the sky in a frenzy. The two knights glanced at each other, looking amused and uncomfortable at the same time. They managed to annoy the child who made them feel uncomfortable, but now she was approaching and no doubt she was to throw a fit. What was to result of this situation?

[Deleted]

Roland had spent the past few hours here in the tower. Running through scheduling of training hours, squire applications, Knight applications, background checks, city design and repairs, criminal activity reports, and other things of the like. And that was just his Knight Commanding duties! He still had a pile of documents that he would have to work through for his Hand to te Queen duties, the idea was for him to work through all of the less important and worrisome in order to lighten the Queens load. The result had become that he practically lived in the Tower nowadays, which in actuality, was no different than when he was just a simple Knight who really did live in the Tower. So besides him having an office stacked with papers to file through, it was very much the same as old times. It reminded him of his times when Gabriel stayed with him rather than the pride he had now begun to establish, when Gabriel was his cub. Now the proud lion had cubs of his own. Roland smiled at this, he could have never foreseen such happiness for him and Gabriel that day he and Steele found and saved him from the Sidulus in the meadow.

Roland sighed, it was time for a break, maybe a walk around town, buy a bit of cooked rabbit on a stick for his lunch? After all his hunger had begun to rise. He quickly organized the papers as best he could while doing so at the rate he was doing it. Soon, he was out his office door, locking it behind him and quickly heading down the stairs and out the Tower's main entrance.

Birds flew over his head almost instantly as he caught the tail end of a conversation nearby. He smiled and walked up behind the two Knights in training, a long way ahead of them but still, with the right work ethic and practice, they could see themselves high within the ranks.

"Well I happen to think it is a lovely dress. I myself am not fond of wearing them but this one makes me reconsider." He jokes as the Knight Commander put his hands gently on the two's shoulders while smiling down a the little girl.

"Hello there, and what is your name miss? I don't suppose they have already asked you." He looked over the little girl, besides her glaring and obvious frustration. He then began to wonder how these two were reacting to this, half of him wanted to lean forward and look at their aces but decided against it.

[Kitami Aklia]

Isonette hadn’t much of a plan on what she would do once she made it to the two knights when she reached them. Perhaps scream? Throw a fit? Bite them? Who knew? She was still a child and now she was an angry child, so she supposed anything would go. But more than anything would she like to wipe the smug looks of their stupid faces. She wondered what her Mama would do. If anyone in the world knew how to wipe a look of pride off of the face of a male it was Kitami. She had seen the female wolf reduce her proud Papa down to a mere puddle version of himself when she was through reaming him on several occasions. Of course Izzy was not suppose to witness these things but she was her father’s daughter and would sometimes sneak from her bedroom and curious watch the two argue whenever her Papa came over from his manor to the spa house to pick up Izzy to visit. Well not argue. Watch Kitami rip the man a new one.

Izzy saw a third man approaching behind the two young knights, and she slowed her step and finally stopped before the two, not saying a word. The two, confused, managed to exchange a look of confusion before they felt the hands fall on their shoulders. Izzy watched the faces of the two knights before her go from smug to surprised to downright scared in a matter of seconds. It was impressive to say the least, and it told her that this new man was someone important, and possibly someone she could use. At least till her Mama got here. Once Mama got here then the two knights could kiss whatever chances of skipping out without getting into trouble goodbye.

The new man remarked about her dress, saying something positive, and ultimately diffusing the little girl a bit, though not much. She shifted her glare between the two younger men as the stood stiffly under the older, higher ranking man’s grip. She gazed up at the new comer with her large yellow eyes, head tilted, seeming to challenge him as much as she did the two younger pups of men he had under his grasp. The man asked her name, further stifling her anger, and she shifted in her spot. After a moment of silence she considered a snippy answer before disregarding the idea.

“Isonette du Ponteloc the Second.” She replied. She didn’t drop a curtsy as she normally would. Kitami raised her with humility and proper manners, but the woman also taught her not to be stepped on. Izzy wouldn’t bow and curtsy to men who’d treat her like dirt. This man was being civil but his underlings were not, and someone had to pay. She was a noble! She may not look the part but she’d act it. She was the only daughter of Lachesis du Ponteloc after all.

[Deleted]

"Nice to meet you Isonette." Roland stated with a smile as he continued to look her over. She sure was a cute little girl. And the hard look she was trying to give, only made it cuter. It was te look he had seen on other little girls when they were frustrated with something, or perhaps didn't get their way.

The fact she was alone did not raise concern to him, many children in the city were orphaned, and the fact that she had seemed to have gotten into a sort of... Clash... With these two Squires was not really bothersome to him. Sure he would have pefered more compassion and patience from Squires but they were still young, and boys. Children themselves really. They would be spoken to harshly later.

"I am Commander Roland Longfellow, but I would prefer if you simply called me Roland." He introduced himself and also did not bow. If she had not, there was no reason to put himself above her in any way.
Her gaze was intriguing though, he shook off the thoughts.

"So what brings you to the Tower?" He asks while releasing his grip on the two boys.

[Kitami Aklia]

The two squires stood stiffly under the Commander’s grip, staring at the ground between their boots. They were so far disregarded but knew they were not forgotten. Not by their superior at least. So they remained quiet and tried to appear as small as they possibly could, which was hard when under the other man’s grip.

Roland had managed to further diffuse the angry child by disregarding the squires thus far. It made focusing on them, and thus her anger, a bit harder. And his continuing to act pleasant was making it difficult to remain angry as well. Her shoulders began to relax, a good sign that she was as well, as her hard set face began to shift back to its usual pleasant form, though not quite to its smiling cheerful self yet. The man introduced himself as Commander Roland, a higher up she could use against the knights, though they seemed less important now, and she felt less angry about it all now.

“I was waiting for Mama…she is buying food now. She is on lunch from the infirmary. I was feeding the birds while she told me to wait.” Izzy said softly, excluding the fact that she was supposed to wait outside the infirmary and not the Tower, but that was a bridge she’d cross later. She was too bored waiting there and the nurses there were utterly foolish and giggled like morons. Plus Izzy didn’t want to eat the bread Kitami left to tide her over, so she decided to give it to some birds instead while she waited for Mama to get her real food.

“Yeah, waiting and staring at us like some creepy monster…” muttered one of the younger knights, receiving a kick from his companion. Izzy, being her father’s daughter, had a temper much like Lachesis. An inhuman, pup like growl escaped her, yellow eyes flashing, though neither of the young knights noticed.

“Perhaps if you weren’t cowards you wouldn’t fear the likes of a child!” She snapped, kicking dirt at the knight who dared mutter under his breath. The knight cursed, tensing, looking like he wanted to strike the girl, but dared not, not with the Commander standing right behind him.

[Deleted]

Roland placed his hand back on the more... idiotic one... and pinched a little harder as he heard the squire mutter rude words. But what was quite surprising was to hear a response from the small girl, the three of them were distant enough and the mutterings quite enough to where not most would hear. But that added with other facts soon made it clear and Roland was left looking at another female werewolf, something he had only begun to see lately. It was startling, but comforting. In some strange way.

"Your mother works at the infirmary does she? Well then, she has our thanks. It is a great service she provides." Roland said with a nod and a smile, for the most part ignoring the girl's other comment. She was a child, and he needed to constantly remind himself that so where these two. And like children, they were to be expected to act like children time and time again.

"Well Isonette, I know it is not my duty to know every young child that runs around the tower or the city for that matter, but, I don't believe I have seen you around." Roland stated, "Exploring the city farther or have you recently moved here?" His question was almost already answered, she was new to town. A female werewolf... this was new to Avaleur and if it hadn't been, it would have been something he would have noticed before.

[Kitami Aklia]

The knight winced as the Commander placed a hand on his shoulder. It wasn’t so much in pain. He was just thinking about the scolding he’d receive later. He fell silent again and this time he’d hopefully he’d stay quiet. His partner seemed to be the wiser of the two. Both kept their heads down, lower this time, more from the Commander’s presence than the unhappy child before them. Izzy glared, trying to resist the urge to stomp her foot like a baby, but these boys were just stupid, and this Commander seemed uninterested in doing a thing about it! She suppressed another urge to growl, barely, and her attention was turned away from the two again as Roland spoke.

Izzy pouted as Roland complimented her mother, displeased with the two younger knights and their lack of punishment. The two knights shifted off to the side, trying to step out from under her yellow gaze. Izzy eyed them a minute before looking back to Roland.

“Mama works hard to save everyone.” She replied, “She comes home tired and bloody.” She added absently, looking off towards the direction Kitami would approach. She hoped her Mama wouldn’t be too angry with her. Izzy was too hungry and annoyed to deal with Mama being angry, even if Izzy brought it on herself.

“I moved here a few months ago with Mama. We…followed Papa.” She said softly, not liking the way that sounded and not sure why. “Mama and I live in a cottage out by some fields. Mama is taking me out to lunch and letting me explore town today though!”

[Deleted]

"Why don't you two go clean the stables, I think they have been neglected for long enough." he suggest, although it was clear that it was an order to the two young men.

Roland walked just a hair closer to Isonette now that the other two where beginning to leave. It was not so much a punishment at this point, cleaning the stables and attending to the horses was just one of the many duties of a squire. He just wanted to get them out of there. Babysitting was not on his agenda.

"Your mom and I sound alike." Roland chuckled a little before stopping." He looked up into the sky, the pretty clear and blue sky to be honest, it was nice. Perfect for meditation... he re-focused. "A cottage hmmm? One of those ones on the edge of the farmland that they have been trying to repair enough for suitable life? Or one of the new cottages built closure to town?" he asked intrigued. The houses were often large and he had always wondered what one would look like inside. Probably magnificent. "Oh, and please, I apologize for the bombardment of questions, but what all have you explored?"

[Kitami Aklia]

The two squires looked incredibly relieved as Roland commanded them to leave and clean the stables. Cleaning up after large animals wasn’t the best job and the highest on their fun list but it was better than hanging around the Commander and an angry little brat. They both turned and scurried off, Izzy watched them go with her yellow eyes narrowed. After they were gone she turned her gaze back to Roland.

“It’s a cottage near the fields. It’s in need of repairs. Well not a lot anymore. Pierre fixed it up a lot.” She said, bending and picking up a small stick and drawing in the dirt. The two knights were gone and thus the source of her anger was gone. “I haven’t seen much. Mostly the marketplace. And Mama’s workplace. I want to visit the castle but Mama said she can’t go there. But it’d be so nice to see the castle! I’d like to see a real princess or queen!”

[Deleted]

"Ah so you are still looking with fresh eyes." Roland stated as he smiled. He remembered his first few years. Full of excitement and wonder.
"Someday you will get to experience the wonders of the wilderness as well, I am sure."

Roland preferred the wilderness himself, hunting, meditating, exploring, solving mysteries, that sort of thing. The city was grand in its own ways but the forests and marshes and wastelands called to him much louder.

"I am sure some day you will make it into the castle as well, today I fear not, due to some instances it is off limits to the public." He tried to explain without explaining that their was an assassination attempt on his own life.

[Kitami Aklia]

“Non…I won’t ever see the castle. Mama says that I may someday as well, but castles are for royalty. I’m not so stupid as to think I’ll see it. I may be noble born, but that doesn’t mean I’m granted access to see the castle or any of its grounds.” Izzy said softly. She began walking in a tight line, foot to foot, as if walking an imaginary tight rope. “Besides, I’m different. I’m not like other nobles. Mama says I am. Papa and my brothers too, but I’m different. Papa isn’t married to my Mama…so it isn’t really the same. I’m noble…but not really the same.” She said softly. She never really said anything like this to anyone before, but Roland was rather engaging, and somehow easy to let your guard down once alone with him. He was nice, and he was distant. It was a good change of pace for once. And what Izzy was saying was something she was just realizing herself for once too.

“I’ve seen the woods. I like them. I like to run and play through them. Hanna is teaching me to hunt right now since Mama hasn’t the time! It’s fun! I wish Mama would though. Mama is a grand hunter. More skilled than healing. You should see her track prey! I wish I could go out into the woods with her more often.” she said, tilting, nearly falling, but then righting herself. She turned and looked at Roland a moment.

“Do you like being a knight Roland? Do you get to go on many adventures?” She asked, arms outstretched, blinked her big yellow eyes up at the man.

[Deleted]

Roland chuckled at Isonette's comment. The castle of avaleur differed greatly from many places near and far both.
"You are a citizen of Avaleur. And with that you have as much right to see the Castle as Her Majesty, Queen Namari. Noble or commoner, rich or poor. If not already, soon, the air of Avaleur will enrich your lungs and give you just as much right as any of us." Roland stated as he smiled.

And just like that his thoughts were confirmed even further. He had met Hanna before and it inferred his assumptions correct. "I as well enjoy the forests, there is an overpowering sense of peace and silencing quiet about them." He stated softly with a soft smile to match before he had to think over her question. And he did not have to think long it was an easy question for him to answer.

"Yes." he answered. "All my life I have dreamt of being a Knight, of fighting for honor and glory, to earn respect and give my life for those who are suffering." He explained further. "I never imagined to have become one so soon I must admit, and the adventures, Avaleur has given me enough adventures to last a lifetime," he chuckled, "Though they refuse to be enough. As I have experienced adventures of my own, you too Isonnette, will walk the paths of adventure and mystery, in Avaleur, it is not if, but when."

[Kitami Aklia]

Izzy looked at Roland, a doubtful look crossing her features. Citizens allowed in the castle? Even the poor? The idea seemed utterly ridiculous to her. That wasn’t how things were done in Merovech. In Merovech only royalty went into the castle. Royalty and the select, elite few who were special enough to walk those honored halls. Sometimes there was a ball thrown, but you could go only if you were invited. Mama was never invited.

Mama should have been invited. Papa and Lisa got to go. Mama never did. Izzy thought absently as she walked her invisible tightrope, pivoted, and walked back. But things were very different here in Avaleur. People were different. People didn’t curse her and hate her for who she was. In fact she was capable of tossing her father’s name out and no one scorned her for it. No one even knew who he was. Funny thing was, Kitami was building the bigger reputation than Lachesis, and Lachesis was the noble. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Izzy was starting to wonder what it meant to be a noble.

She let go of ever seeing the castle. She didn’t know if she’d ever see it, but Roland did spark a child’s hope in her, whether he knew it or not. She also took away the Queen’s name and stored it in her head. Namari. Izzy would have to see if she could ever meet the woman. Meeting a queen would be interesting indeed! Imagine her brother’s faces when she told them!

Izzy paused as Roland gave his answer to her question. She mused over it a moment. Adventures of her own? But she was a noble. Wasn’t she supposed to sit by a look pretty when she grew up? Maybe marry a big handsome man? She wondered about this.

“Adventures would be nice…I don’t think Papa would approve. Nor would my brothers. But they don’t live with me so they wouldn’t really have to know would they? I could be a warrior! Or maybe a knight like you Roland!” She said excitedly, ideas suddenly flooding her mind. “I could fight evil, and rescue people, and have epic battles, just like in the stories! Mama might not approve either. But I’d be a hero like her. She saves lives. Besides. I think she was a warrior once. She has scars on her back. They look like claws. Slashed right across her back. They’re the only scars she has though, so she must have won, right?” Izzy said. It was a silly day dream she had often, but with her mother’s advanced hunting skills and those scars and absolutely no idea what her mother’s past was like, she had to invent something.

[Deleted]

Roland listen with a smile on his face. One of his greatest joys was to see the younger generations, and even his own, be filled with inspiration and dream as largely as they so wished. He had gotten to dream like that when he was in his homeland Tetra and he had pushed through the opposition until he had realized his vision. And it still continues.

"Nothing will stop you but yourself." He stated as he looked into the sky, because even so far from home, the sky was the same here as it was there. "No one should stop you from doing what you wish, from attaining your dreams. When I was your age, Issonette, my parents were utterly disgusted to hear that I wanted to be a Knight, to fight in wars and lead men in battle. They did all they could for me to become a scholar or a chart designer, but I would not have it." He looked back down to her and grinned, "Your goals are high and righteous, it is my hope that you not only realize those, but they stay has pure and just as they are now."

He said nothing about the scars, being in a pack of werewolves made the idea that her mother had won a battle was not impossible, but it was more likely they were from punishments or citizens who hated their kind. Really it was hard to say, it all depended on the pack really. But a hero, that was something that was good, and to suggest things that were not necessarily true that could cause other ideas to sprout in her mind was unfair. And Roland would rather have this girl's mom a hero rather than a women who had taken a beating for being a 'monster cursed and damned by the gods' as some saw them as.

[Kitami Aklia]

Izzy continued her invisible tightrope walking, musing over what was said. She never thought of taking on a role that was ordinarily reserved for men. She pictured it now. Isonette du Ponteloc II, a knight! What an exciting idea! Battling thugs and rescuing people. And it'd be a simple matter, with her being a werewolf and all. She could bat aside a grown man like a fly. Well, once she was all grown up of course. Although armor would tear off her body easily like clothing would. Maybe she should consider getting werewolf armor? Did people make that? She knew she was supposed to keep her inner wolf hidden from humans because they'd try to kill her, they didn't understand, or so Mama and Papa said. Izzy didn't really understand why others would reject her so. It was so silly. Werewolves would be useful in society, wouldn't they?

Before the child could further ponder the idea, the smell of roasted meat greeted her nose. She looked up and saw her Mama approaching. Izzy brightened, waving her hand to Kitami, having forgotten her earlier disobedience and impending punishment. Kitami carried a basket covered with a cloth, and inside the smell of the roasted meat drifted to the wolf pup.

"Mama!" Izzy called, waving Kit over. Kitami approached, eying Roland a bit warily. The last knight she had met had made it clear that he did not like anything that wasn't human, and Kitami didn't trust any of the knights ever since.

"Isonette...who is your new friend?" Kitami asked pleasantly enough as her daughter pushed the cloth back and reveal bread, several wrapped hunks of cooked meat, cheese and a flask of water.

"His name is Roland. He's the Knight Commander here! He says I can go into the castle and meet the queen!" Izzy said, pulling out a hunk of cooked meat, unwrapping it and biting into it. Kitami eyed her daughter a moment bfore regarding the man before her.

"Hello Roland. I'm Kitami Aklia, Izzy's mother. Thank you for watching my ever wandering daughter." She said, Izzy resuming walking her invisible tightrope, this time munching on her roasted meat. "So, you say my girl can meet the queen?" Kitami asked, amused and a tad disbelieving that anyone could just walk into a castle and say good day to the queen of Avaleur.

[Deleted]

Roland was met with a great deal of silence, the girl walking her tight line, maybe a tightrope or crossing a fallen log over a river, something similar no doubt in her mind. The girl was probably thinking over what he had said, or maybe she was thinking about food. Roland sure was and he figured if he was, then a young pup would even more so be thinking about food at this time of day.

Isonette spoke, but he very quickly realized it was not directed toward him. He turned and instantly, although her call of 'mama' had already given it away, inferred that this was her mother, the two looked very much alike.

He studied her, like his habit always forced him to do with just about every person. Strong hands was about the first thing he noticed, that and strikingly beautiful features. He wondered how something like that worked for a moment before the answer came to him. Probably the Alpha's.

"And a pleasure meeting you Kitami." Roland answered her with a slight bow. The smells from the meat turning his stomache over in hunger. "Your disgusted has told me a bit about you and your sacrifices to the city. I thank you much for what you contribute to those in need." Roland was a horrible medic. He could wrap his wounds... That was about it really. Sure he knew how to prevent them from worsening and if needed he could probably, and very crudely, stitch them up but his healing capabilities were very much so lacking.

He looked toward the castle, "Normally yes, many people are aloud to see the Queen. Most during hours scheduled as public hours but you could also see her walking around the chambers often. However," he spoke as he turned back to them, "as of late this is hardy possible as security has been raised because of some instances earlier this week." He explained, not wishin to share more than he had to. Letting the people know of assassins and attempts on his life were not great for their feelings of safety. They did have the situation under control however. So they weren't puttin the people in danger by withholding anything.

[Kitami Aklia]

Kitami was pleased that this knight had better manners than the last one she met, and was over all much more pleasant, but if she learned anything from Merovech, it was that looks could be deceiving. She'd be careful around this man for now. Until he proved himself trustworthy at least. He may have treated Izzy well, but many would treat a child well when in broad daylight and in public. Of course had anything happened to Izzy he'd have the wrath of a werewolf mother to face, but it wasn't like he knew that.

"I appreciate you thanks." She said, watching Izzy continue her little game. It was nice to be thanked for her hard work. Not many people knew of what she sacrificed to help the people of Avaleur. The number one thing being her time with her pup. That was the hardest thing for her. Kitami couldn't wait for her rank to grow in the infirmary so she'd be able to spend more time with Isonette and be home more often. Of course she wasn't the only parent not spending enough time with Izzy...but Kitami would chew Lachesis out later once she managed to catch the male.

Izzy paused her steps as Roland once more explained that security at the castle was tightened and for now no one would be able to go inside the castle and see the queen. The disappointment on the pup's face was evident. Kitami gave Izzy a smile.

"I suppose it isn't because someone threatened someone else or tried to kill the queen is it?" Kitami asked, reaching out and petting Izzy's head. Izzy's pout grew. "Don't worry dearheart. Once the situation is resolved we'll visit the castle ourselves. Maybe we'll see the queen, hm?" Izzy perked at this and turned to Roland.

"Will you guide us Roland? I like you! You'd be the best guide ever!" She asked. Kitami gave a roll of her eyes, though she kept a smile on her face. Izzy and her flirting. How Lachesis and his sons would be howling in despair if they saw such a sight.

[Deleted]

Roland was glad that Kitami had nearly guessed it right, but he need not worry, as what he expected many to speculate was not the truth.

"No, I can assure you the Queen's life is as safe as it will be." He smiled reassuringly, "There were no attempts at her life."

He would not be fearful to tell her it was his if she asked, it was not meant to be hidden for any other reason then he would rather not have people worrying and even worse, feel sorry for him.

Roland laughed aloud at Isonette's comment. "Your guide hmmm? Well I tend to be rather busy, but seeing as I am the Queen's hand, there is always the possibility that you may see me when you visit. And when you do, be sure to view the gardens and the library, both great sights." He suggested. He enjoyed them both, studying in the library and meditating in the garden, although he had his own special place in the wilderness where he more often meditated.

[Kitami Aklia]

Kitami said nothing as Roland assured her the queen was not harmed nor did any one try to harm her. It made the wolf wonder why the beef up in security if it was not the queen who was threatened. She decided her first guess was correct. Someone important must have been threatened in some way. Kitami wouldn’t be able to guess who. She never cared for politics, so who was important outside of the royal family was beyond her. She supposed she should learn to teach Izzy, who was a noble by birth and therefore part of the mix. But honestly if anyone should teach the girl it should be her father, and it’d give Lachesis more of a reason to spend time with the girl.

When Roland spoke, seeming to reject Izzy’s request as kindly as he could, the girl pouted.

“Aw! But Roland, you’d make it much more interesting” Izzy said, reaching up to tug on his hand. Kitami blinked and hooked her finger in Izzy’s collar, tugging the pup back.

“Isonette du Ponteloc! I have taught you better than to whine like so! You are a lady remember! Now, Roland said he is a busy man. We must let him be.” She scolded. Izzy took the scolding before continuing to munch on her meat. Kitami regarded Roland again. “Although you did watch my girl and kept her safe till I found her again. Here.” She said, lifting the basket. “Pick something to eat as a thank you gift. I have plenty of meat to choose from. There is rabbit, deer, some beef. Izzy took the only pheasant.” The pup’s yellow eyes glittered and Izzy smiled. There was a large amount of meat for only two females, one being a child, but Izzy was a growing pup, and Kitami had to increase the meat intake for the pup. The girl wasn’t gaining enough weight for one, and Kitami was afraid she wouldn’t get the proper amount of nutrients needed for a werewolf. So Kitami decided to steer Izzy’s diet away from human and more towards wolf for now.

[Deleted]

Roland laughed aloud, he did admire her persistence. It was something that, if she continued to have, would keep her motivated and press her further into whatever area of study she wished to go. Where she went, whoever she wanted to be. It would give her a slight edge over her competition for sure.

"No, no, no." Roland said, putting up his hands and shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer greatly but I must refuse. I know how much food is required for a.. girl at her age. Please, I get a discount in the marketplace anyhow." he smiled, "it is very sweet of you though." He didn't want to take food from a family that would no doubt have more troubles adjusting to life here than he would. If Balius returned at any moment to establish a territory, or if for some horrible turn of events the people went mad and once again decided to rid the city of werewolves, well, he just wanted the pup to be healthy. That was all, Roland could manage fine.