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Kier wakes with a startle to the cold darkness of the inner cabin as she hears a high pitched howl echo from above deck. Hearing more stirring in the cabin she is blinded as a dark curtain is moved out of the way and the reddish glow of dawn enters the glass window. The doe shields her eyes, "What is it?" she asks with a sleep blurred voice.

Tonarth looks out the cabin window, "The harbor has been sighted." He turns to look at her, a black shadow framed against the outside light of dawn, "We should be coming into port soon. There you will see many things you may not understand, but remember, you are safe as long as you wear the torque," he adds as he taps his throat to indicate the golden item adorning her neck. "Anyone who touches you will answer to me."

The young doe sits up, pulling the sleeping furs around her for warmth as she notices her breath fogging the air, "How long?"

The large wolf shrugs his massive shoulder, "An hour or two probably. If the call just went out, then it is only on the horizon and we still have a distance to go." He moves back to his pile of sleeping furs and sits on top of them, the white furred head of the arctic vixen Lamuri slips from the furs to rest in his lap without opening an eye. The large black wolf strokes the vixen's hair gently as she continues to sleep, "Home is a cold place for newcomers this time of year. Luunea will find you and the wise mother some warmer clothes."

The big warrior looks down at the vixen's head in his lap, "Even Lamuri here will be wearing furs to stay warm this time of year."

Kier looks at the large male sitting there in only his fur while she can feel the chill of the outside even in this inner warmer cabin, "How do you stand the cold?"

The light glints off his teeth as he chuckles, "Ah my little Unna, I was born for this. The only way I will feel the cold, is when I am dead and standing judgment before Yuli and Thoarn."

The doe looks at the sleeping vixen, "Is she really a priestess of Yuli?"

He nods, "I can tell that scares you. I promise, you have nothing to fear from Yuli or young Lamuri here."

"How can you say that, she is a reaper of souls," Kier asks, a tremor slipping into her voice.

Tonarth locks his gaze on her, his eyes flashing in the light, "Because, the Goddess looks over my family, which as my Unna you are a part of. My maternal grandmother was even one of the chosen avatars of Yuli. She likes to stop in from time-to-time."

Kier hears a soft gasp from where her grandmother lay in her own pile of sleeping furs, "Your family... They are what your people called the Fate Touched aren't they?" the old doe's knuckles turn white where she grips the sleeping furs, "You are a Chosen aren't you?"

Tonarth hesitates briefly before he nods, "I am the Chosen of the Lupine Tribe, as was my father, and his father before him. We have been Chosen for as long as the oldest in the tribe can remember."

Kier looks back and forth, "Chosen?"

Luunea speaks up from her own pile of furs, "Brother, there is no need to brag, and it is unseemly in a War Leader." She sits up and stretches, letting the sleeping furs fall from her bare silver pelt which shines in the morning light as if it was metal, not fur.

The female wolf stands from her sleeping furs, nude as her brother, and leaves them in a pile as she walks over to a chest where she squats and starts digging for clothing. "The Chosen aren't as mystical as other tribes like to say. The Chosen among the Lupine tribe and most of the other northern clans are those who have been selected to be leaders. They are the strongest warriors, the fiercest on the battlefield, and those with the most honor." She looks over her shoulder at the does, "Oh, and he's got a goddess who takes interest in him."

Kier shrinks back into the implied protection of the sleeping furs around her as if the wolves in the room have transformed into dangerous and vicious animals.

"Are you a god?" her grandmother asks with a quivering voice.

Tonarth and Luunea both bark with laughter that wakes the sleeping vixen who looks around the room with sleep filled eyes, "What is funny Master?"

Tonarth stops laughing long enough to stroke the vixen's back, "Nothing to worry about my dear, the Wise Mother just said something funny."

He looks back towards the does and shakes his head, "No Wise Mother, I am far from such a being." He runs a hand over the fresh scars from the previous day's duel, "I am very much a mortal with no supernatural powers to speak of. Only the skills learned from my father and the lessons of life to live by."

Luunea holds out wrapped bundles to the two newcomers, "Here, these should be sufficient to keep you warm in these lands, at least until we get into the halls which are kept warm." The two females pull the wrapped bundles into their furred shelters against the chill and start to get dressed while the female wolf stands and retrieves her own loincloth from the small pile of clothing next to her sleeping furs.

Lamuri extracts herself from the warm embrace of her master and licks his cheek, "I will get some breakfast for everyone Master."

Tonarth nods and pats her rear as she giggles and trots out of the cabin, a chill wind entering through the door as she leaves, still nude except for her torque and fur.

The black wolf catches the blue loincloth that his sister tosses at him while she chuckles, "While Lamuri and most of the rest of the females onboard don't mind, would you cover yourself once in a while. The young Unna and her grandmother do not need to see how well-endowed you are every waking minute as some sign of your prowess. And I stopped being impressed long ago dear brother."

He chuckles and secures the loincloth with a knot, "I could say the same to you my dear sister."

The she-wolf sticks her tongue out at her brother before she starts to don the rest of her own clothing.

* * *

The small raiding fleet glides into the protected harbor with a salute from the warriors on the watchtowers. Tonarth stands at the bow of the lead ship as it glides over the smooth waters of the harbor. The light leather armor and flowing loincloth are his only protection against the still and frigid air that makes his breath fog the air in front of him. The Unna and Wise Mother are just stepping on deck, well bundled in thick furs, with is sister as the ship makes the final approach to its pier. As sailors leap to the pier with practiced ease, ropes in hand, to secure the sea dragon to the thick timber posts Tonarth takes the opportunity to make his own leap to the wooden pier.

As he stands from his landing he walks towards a group of older and equally large warriors waiting for him at the end of the pier. Luunea sees the waiting delegation and motions the two newcomers to one side, "We'll wait for the planks to get off the ship. I don't want you two slipping into the water from missing a leap."

Kier frowns as she watches Tonarth walk off, "What's he doing?"

"He's meeting with the pack leaders," says the Yunri as she steps up to the rail where they wait and leans on it. "They want a report of the raid I'm sure. He's young for being a War Leader, and they are seeking to ensure he is the leader they think he is."

"Are any of them related to the warrior he killed?" asks the older doe as she pulls the fur cloak tighter.

The Captain shakes her head, "No, at least not closely related. That scum was an outcast from any pack. I don't know why Tonarth allowed him on the raid, probably to give him a chance to redeem himself and earn a place among one of the packs."

Luunea speaks up, "Are you afraid someone will challenge the results of the fight?" She looks from one doe to the other, "There is no fear of that. It was an honor duel to the death and was witnessed by most of the warriors and sailors on the ship. The scum had lost all rights of honor when he lost that fight. His family won't even acknowledge he exists, for to do so would be to give him the honor of being remembered."

Kier's eyes flick to an unusual figure approaching the crowd at the shore side of the pier. Unlike the pack leaders who all wear similar armor and loincloths to Tonarth, this figure is clearly female, not a wolf, not wearing armor, and unlike any other female in view has four breasts covered in a green fabric wrap to provide support. The battleax at her waist is similar to others carried by some of the male wolf warriors, though the weapon she carries has only a simple blade on it, not the double blade favored by the Wolf Clan warriors.

Lunnea notices the figure too and smiles, "Ah, Vale is visiting I see."

Kier shakes her head, "I'm not familiar with her species... And why does she have four breasts?"

Kier's grandmother chuckles, "She's a lynx my dear; and all their females are like that. No one is entirely sure why, but it suspected because the females often have litters of three to four offspring. They are a matriarchal society because the females are bigger and typically stronger than the males. There are male warriors among their ranks, but they are rare. They tend to be the craftsmen more often while the females do the fighting."

Luunea nods with an impressed grin, "You are indeed wise. I didn't know the Lynx clans had come as far south as your lands."

The older doe waves a hand, "Long ago, when I was a child I saw a Lynx merchant. The male was surrounded by three females, a little smaller than that lady over there. They found my curiosity charming and told me some of their lands. I understand they come from the far northern lands, and they like the mountains more than the seas?"

The she-wolf bows her head again, "You are quite correct. That is Vale of the North, sometimes called Vale the Valkyrie. She often serves as the emissary for the Lynx clans to the Wolf clans. Her people say she fits in a little too well sometimes. Though honestly, for an emissary she can be a bit rough around the edges," Lunnea adds with a chuckle. "She fancies my brother, both in battle and in bed. She has sworn if she can ever beat him in the arena she will take a night of pleasure from him as her prize. Too bad for her she hasn't been able to beat him yet."

As the plank is set into place a sailor helps the two does down to the dock while Luunea easily leaps with all the grace of her brother. The three females approach the group and Tonarth turns to his sister, "Sister, please take the Wise Mother and Unna to our hall, something has come up while we were gone. I will join you there shortly."

Luunea tilts her head, her ears quirked in curiosity, "What is it brother?"

One of the older pack leaders, a black wolf turning gray with age but carrying himself erect as any young warrior speaks with a polite nod, "Mediator, there has been a challenge to your brother's claim to the position of War Leader. A wolf walked out of the wilds while you were gone and proclaimed himself the true War Leader of the Wolf Clans and it was time for us to enslave all the other clans under our banner. There is something... unnatural about him. He speaks in a way that incites the young warriors to believe him and listen to his foolishness. When told he would have to await the return of Tonarth he laughed and said he would claim Tonarth's head upon his return. He has been waiting in the honor ring since the fleet was spotted."

The silver wolfess looks around the semicircle of pack leaders as her demeanor changes to that of the stoic Mediator rather than the caring sister, "Gorran, you said he walked out of the wilds, what allows him to challenge the War Leader of the Wolf Clans to a challenge. What pack claims him?"

The gathered pack leaders cast glances at each other before Gorran answers, "He claims to be a descendant of Thoarn and Yuli. He claims his name is Thane the Touched. As I said, he has convinced many of the younger wolves of this, and they are expecting your brother to accept the challenge. If he does not, he will lose honor in their eyes."

Vale snorts, "I keep telling these fools there's nothing to worry about. Tonarth could rip this guy a new arse with less effort than you would use to pick your teeth. The wild wolf is obviously mad." The lynx ignores the glares of the older pack leaders direct at her. "I say face the mongrel and we can get down to some serious drinking and celebrating the return of the raiding fleet."

There is a glow that sparks up behind the three females and the group turns to see Lamuri stepping forward, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy and her bright white pelt radiating like a beacon. The fur lined cloak she had donned in the cabin is thrown back by the radiance as she approaches and the pack leaders all take a knee as they recognize the signs that Yuli is present through her cleric and chosen avatar. Tonarth looks to her with a nod, "Is it true, is he of the line of Thoarn?"

The diminutive vixen looks up at Tonarth, the goddess using the body of the vixen to study her grandson as she tilts her head with a quizzical expression, "Only in the way that all the Wolf Clans are of the line of Thoarn." She turns to the pack leaders, "Stand, and take us to the challenger, I would see him with the eyes of my servant. While I have lain with Thoarn on many occasions, our offspring are gods, not mortals." She looks to the Lunnea and the two does, "You will come. I sense something is not right and a Mediator should be present for such a challenge."

The pack leaders stand and without further comment motion for the arctic vixen to proceed towards the honor ring located in the center of the community. As the group proceeds all who see the glowing vixen stop and kneel in reverence. It is common knowledge that the War Leader is a favored of Yuli and that she often visits the wolf clan through her cleric and avatar. Though few have seen her so openly displaying her presence as she does in this moment when the balance of the Wolf Clan hangs in the balance.

As they approach the honor ring there are many young warriors clustered about and while most take a knee to the avatar of their Goddess, there are a few who scoff at her with mutterings of her just being Tonarth's whore pretending to be the Goddess with a trick of magic.

The party stops at the edge of the honor ring and the recently returned study the wolf standing in the ring with an air of calmness that is unnatural. The white wolf stands there in ornate metal armor, his hands crossed on the pommel of a massive sword he holds point down in front of him. He stands larger than even the legendary Tonarth and his bearing is that of assured confidence as he opens his mouth, "I see the false War Leader has brought his whore. Are you afraid to fight me pup? The Goddess would never take a female you had violated as her avatar."

There is muttering from the crowd at his words, some shocked, but others agreeing with his words that they have no proof that Yuli really is using the vixen as an avatar, only the word of a pup. The irony that most of those saying this are younger than Tonarth is of course lost on them.

Lamuri's glowing eyes become slits as she studies the challenger, "I see." She steps into the honor ring and one of the young wolves reaches to pull her out but she swats him back into the crowd where he collides with several of his companions with a casual backhand that the small vixen should not be able to do. "You think I am a whore do you Thane the Touched? If that is the case, come and strike me down as you would a common whore. Prove to these pups who trust your silver tonged words that what you speak is truth." She smirks at him, "Or are you afraid of a little female?"

The white wolf glares at her, "I have not challenged you, I challenged your master whore!"

She shakes her head with a slow smile, "Ah you foolish pup, you haven't challenged anyone as no Mediator has heard it, but here and now, I challenge you!" She points to Luunea, "And there is a Mediator to hear and acknowledge that a challenge was made!"

There is a muttering in the crowd and everyone seems in agreement that the vixen's words are true. The challenge has not been officially offered to Toanrth yet, and as such the vixen is free to challenge the stranger.

The white wolf looks around the ring and frowns before he glares at the arctic vixen, "You are a whore, not an honorable warrior to face me in the honor ring. You have no right to challenge me, the son of Yuli and Thoarn! I refuse to soil my honorable blade with a whore's blood! But don't worry, I'll soil my cock with your cunt's blood after I kill that pup you call a Master and take you as my prize to fuck until you can't walk." He points to the black wolf and shouts, "Tonarth, I challenge you for your position as War Leader!"

His words cause a ripple of angered mutterings in the crowd and he looks around the assembled warriors, his expression perplexed as even his strongest supporters seem dissatisfied with his refusal and challenge. Lunnea smirks at the challenger, "Thane was it? As a Wolf Clan Mediator, I remind you that you are forgetting something. You cannot refuse a challenge from anyone and then challenge a leader for their position. Anyone is allowed to challenge someone to an honor challenge in the ring, not just warriors. Even the lowest slave can challenge the bravest warrior. Either you accept the prior challenge and then you can challenge Tonarth afterwards, or you leave the Wolf Clan in disgrace right now."

Thane looks to the vixen still waiting before him with her arms crossed over her ample and bare chest, "Very well, I accept the challenge. Here, now, and with what we currently have in the ring. Yuli and Thoarn will witness and judge the honor of this duel." He lifts his sword to hold it vertically before his face, "Your tricks and cantrips can't save you now whore. The entire clan will witness the truth of my words."

"Witnessed," shouts Luunea as she steps up to take her position at the edge of the honor ring, the younger warriors making room for her and the pack leaders with her. "The gods will give power and guidance to the one who is in the right. The gods will see this settled here and now!"

"Witnessed," choruses the voices of those gathered around the honor ring.

Lamuri continues to stand there and remains quiet as the white wolf takes a step back and braces his feet to charge. "AAAAAAHH!" Thane screams as he charges bringing the massive sword around in an arc to separate the vixen's head from her body with one cruel stroke. At the last moment Lamuri's hand comes up to block. As the blade contacts her palm it stops blade with a jolt that throws the wolf off balance.

Thane stumbles but doesn't fall. He raises his blade again as a gasp can be heard from many in the crowd. His eye traces the lines of the blade and widen as they see the hand size dent in the edge where it had impacted the vixen's hand as if they had hit a mountain of granite. "How?" he gasps as he fights to catch his breath from the short charge and swing which he had put everything he had into.

Lamuri looks at her unmarked palm and speaks in a quiet voice that seems to echo on the very air so all can hear, "Foolish cub. You assumed I was not who I claimed to be? You think I would allow you, a stupid fool to harm one of my favorite avatars?" Lowering her hand she looks to the wolf, "You claim to be a son of mine, yet you deny who I am?"

Thane feels his blood run cold, "No, you're not Yuli, you're just some common whore who has a few tricks to shield yourself. I bet I just need to hit you again!" He swings at her again without the screaming and running this time, and the vixen raises a single finger to stop the descending blade this time. Feeling the jar of the blade in his hand coming to a sudden and unexpected stop he takes a step back as the crowd watching murmurs quietly.

"You are a fool," says the Goddess through her servant. "Want to take another shot?" Her muzzle breaks in a wicked grin, "Or is it my turn?"

The wolf backs away as the vixen starts to walk closer, her hips moving in a hypnotic sway as her tail brushes her legs and her ample chest bounces a small bit with each step. "You are not the Goddess!" he shouts. "You are a demon! Yuli, protect your son and chosen champion!"

As his words his armor starts to glow with a faint magical light and the Goddess's grin widens, "I understand you now. You are not a fool, you're a charlatan who uses tricks, hypnosis, and lies to trick and control others." She growls as she snaps her fingers and the glow of the wolf's armor fades faster than a snuffed candle, "I think this farce is over." Her hand snaps out to grab the larger wolf by his throat and lift him from his feet as the vixen starts to hover off the ground, her cloak and hair billowing in a magical wind.

"AAIIEEEE!" the wolf screams as he drops his sword and grips her forearm as he struggles in a pain that goes deeper than the skin, it originates at the core of his very nerves.

The vixen frowns as the glow in her eyes brightens, "I see... That witch lied to you. She fed your ego. She is a follower of the Trickster and you feel for it." She tightens her grip on his throat and he stops screaming only to gasp for air, "That's enough screaming, it hurts my ears. You think you have felt pain, but I am the Goddess of pain, and you know nothing of pain!"

The glow coming from her very fur brightens and several of the witnesses have to shield their eyes, but Tonarth, Luunea, and the two does watch on in amazement as a Goddess expresses her displeasure with a mortal who would claim to be one of her children and thus displace her spiritual descendants. Kier tugs at her grandmother's arm, "What is she going to do?"

The old female shakes her head, "He has angered a Goddess who gathers souls for judgment. I suspect that she is judging him."

Luunea shakes her head, "No, she is not the one who judges, she only gathers. But there is nothing that says that gathering is painless. She is a Goddess of pain when she deems it necessary, and I suspect she does so now."

The crowd gasps as the floating vixen opens her hand and drops the white wolf to a whimpering heap of fur and armor on the ground. As she settles to the ground she looks around at the crowd, her glowing eyes scanning the faces who dare not look away from her, "This is not a son of Thoarn and Yuli. He is a wild wolf who was raised by a witch to believe such lies. She gave him some trinkets and taught him to manipulate. Are there any witnesses who would speak for this creature in his defense?"

The crowd is silent; the young warriors who had supported the imposter hang their heads in shame under the gaze of the Goddess. No one speaks in defense of the sobbing heap of fur and pain.

The glowing gaze falls on Thane again, "No one speaks in your defense. Then I will send you to be judged by Thoarn, and he is waiting eagerly for you." She raises a hand and he is once again lifted into the air by his neck but this time without her fingers touching him. There is a sickening crunch as she closes her hand into a fist and his neck is crushed so severely that his head falls to the ground where it lies in a growing pool of blood.

Luunea calls out, "The honor is settled!" She turns to a small knot of warriors, "Dispose of the filth, it will not be remembered."

The vixen walks over to the group of leaders who again take a knee in deference to the Goddess before them. "Arise my loyal followers, and know that none here are guilty but the one who has been dealt with. He used tricks to cloud the minds of the young and susceptible. Do not blame them, just teach them." She looks to Tonarth who bows his head to her, "I will give you back your vixen now; she will need to rest after my inhabiting her so long. She will be tired, but she will recover. The mortal body is not designed to contain so much of our power, but I couldn't allow that false creature to risk the stability of the Wolf Clan." She closes her eyes, "I will continue to watch over my loyal people." With a sigh the glow fades and the vixen's face goes slack as she starts to fall. Tonarth leaps forward to catch her and lifts her into his arms.

Gorran steps forward to help wrap the fur lined cloak around her and presses a hand to her cheek, "Take her to your hall War Leader, she needs to be warmed. I will order some broth to restore her when she wakes. The Goddess was right, she was sending too much power through the poor girl, and now she needs rest."

Tonarth nods, "As there is no longer a challenge to my leadership, I will take her, the Unna, and the Wise Mother to my hall and let them warm. Luunea, please join us when you are done here."

The she-wolf nods as she steps into the crowd and talks with many of the young warriors who are confused and shaken by the recent events.

Tonarth motions with his head to the Kier and her grandmother, "Come on you two, let's get someplace warm."

Vale steps beside the larger wolf, "Mind if I join you?" She holds up a bladder, "I have some of the fortified mead from home. The lass could probably use it when she wakes."

Tonarth nods, "Of course, you're always welcome."

The smaller does watch the interaction and follow the two warriors. Kier asks quietly, "Fortified mead?"

Her grandmother nods, "Mead with a stronger spirit added, the Lynxes of the north are well known for their brews and the ability of those brews to aid healing and recover the spirit."

As they approach a long two story building Vale steps forward to open the door and move the inner curtain aside letting a wave of warmth radiate from the inside, "They set a fire when the fleet was spotted, so the hall should be warm and inviting already."

Tonarth nods in thanks and maneuvers the vixen in his arms through the doorway followed by Kier and her grandmother. As they pass into the warmth the lynx pulls the door shut behind them and settles the thick fur curtain to stop the draft from intruding.

Kier and her grandmother look around them, finding themselves in a great hall that must take up at least a quarter of the building. Chairs are arrayed before a large fireplace with weapon racks and trophies adorning the walls. Above the fireplace is an array of horns from a greater wyrm, obviously a trophy of some great beast slain.

The big wolf hurries over to the fireplace and the sets the wrapped vixen in one of the oversized chairs and turns it to face the fireplace with its radiating heat. He pulls his axe from his harness and sets it in an empty weapon rack before turning back to the vixen.

He kneels next to her and gently opens the cloak a little to undo the clasp. The lynx steps up with a cup into which she is pouring a sweet smelling thick liquid from the bladder she had flashed to the wolf. "Here, see if she'll take a sip."

He nods in thanks, accepting the cup. With one arm he supports Lamuri's head and the other he presents the cup as he whispers to her, "Come on my pet, take just a little. I know you are tired but this will help."

Her eyes flicker open only the tiniest amount as she parts her lips to allow the thick mead to be dribbled into her mouth. Swallowing the small amount she sighs and licks her lips. "Thank you Master, I'm sorry," she whispers in a voice nearly too quiet for even Tonarth to hear.

He leans in and kisses her forehead, "Rest my pet; that is an order."

She closes her eyes and a small smile graces her lips as she again drops into the oblivion of exhausted sleep.

Kier is helping her grandmother remove the heavy cloak in the warm room when the lynx takes the garment and hands her two cups full of the mead. She gives the young doe a sisterly smile, "Here, drink this; it'll warm you inside and out."

The doe accepts the cups and passes the second to her grandmother as the lynx removes her cloak too and hangs them near the fireplace. Taking a cautious sip of the liquid she feels warmth burn down her throat and radiate to her extremities. Her eyes widen at the feeling that floods her with not only warmth, but a sense of energy and strength as if she had slept a restful night in her bed at home.

Her grandmother closes her eyes and sighs at the feeling of her own drink warming her limbs, "It has been a long time since I sampled lynx mead. It truly does revive the soul."

Vale smiles as she raises the drinking bladder to her lips and takes a long gulp for herself before she smiles at the two small does, "That it does Wise Mother. This is from my family's own brewery."

Tonarth strokes Lamuri's hair with a tender touch before standing to slouch into another chair, "Let me have some of that would ya Vale?"

Vale looks at him with a surprised look before she hands him the entire bladder, "Of course."

The black wolf takes the bladder and swallows a large gulp of the liquid. As he lowers the bladder he asks, "Why Vale?"

The lynx tilts her head, "Why what?"

His chin lowers as his brows furrow, "Why did the goddess interfere? It was my fight, if she had let me take the challenge she would not have had to risk Lamuri as she did." He slams his fist on the arm of his chair, "I could have taken him."

The lynx frowns, "You should know better than anyone that the Goddess has her reasons for everything she does. You are her chosen, and she has her reasons."

The large wolf takes another long drink from the bladder before he holds it out to her, "You're right, that's the good stuff."

The lynx takes it back and takes another sip from the bladder, "You going to be alright big guy?"

The wolf leans his head back and sighs, "Yeah." He looks over at the resting vixen, "She will recover; the Goddess said so." Looking to the two does he motions towards the other chairs, "Please sit, we have much to discuss."

Kier guides her grandmother to one of the chairs before she settles into the soft fur cushions of the other, "What happens now?"

The lynx leans casually against the back of Tonarth's chair, "She's the new Unna huh?" The lynx smiles, "She's a cutie."

Tonarth waves a hand at Vale, "She doesn't know much of being an Unna yet. Only what she has seen and the little she has learned. I told her that she'd learn more when we returned to port, which we have." He leans forward to rest his forearms on his knees and looks Kier in the eyes, "It is time you learned the meaning of the Unna."

The young doe nods, "What does it mean? What is expected of me? You and your sister said I am not a slave or concubine, and I am safe by tradition and your clan's code of honor. But I still do not understand what I am here."

Tonarth closes his eyes as he explains, "An Unna is an individual taken not just as a prize or trophy, and definitely not as a slave. An Unna is also taken as a promise. As I take you into my hall, you are part of my pack." He points to the torque she wears, "That is why you wear that, it carries the symbol of my pack, and marks you as under my protection."

Kier tilts her head, "So I'm some kind of child to you? I might have been an orphan, but I was not helpless among my people."

The wolf frowns, "Not a child, more like a sister or cousin if you wanted to use familial titles. Unna's are able to become mates of clan members, but only of their own free choice. However, your daily role is actually to be an advisor, not only for relations with your own clan, but to provide another point of view."

The young doe blinks, "You want me to advise you? I'm younger than you by a number of years, how could I provide you with advice?"

Tonarth frowns, "Exactly as I said, you can provide another point of view, possibly even one that I haven't seen myself." He leans back, "You saw how I can be when my blood is up. Most wolves are like that, we are emotional and easily agitated."

Kier shrinks back, remembering the anger she had seen and the crack of the quirk used on the small white furred vixen. The vixen may have enjoyed it, but the anger she had seen in those eyes still burned in her memory, "I see."

The older doe leans forward, "So I see now why you accepted to bring me. You wish similar from me, but I am too old to be an Unna."

The lynx chuckles, "Even you could be an Unna, Wise Mother. There is no age limit on Unnas, but I think the War Leader believed you coming with the young one here would bring her some measure of solace. Your insight and experiences can be of use; that is indeed true. But you will find the Wolf Clan values the input of elders, of nearly all clans."

Tonarth nods in agreement, "Vale has hit the nail on the head. But the Unna is also a subject of respect. You were seen to have value beyond being a slave or possession." He points to Kier, "Remember that I killed a piece of filth for touching you as he did."

"He had also insulted the captain of the ship and you said other crimes of honor?" the young doe counters.

He waves a hand dismissively, "Those were crimes of honor and would have led to a beating as he had received many times, but it was his handling of you that led me to call the duel to the death. Touching an Unna, especially in that manner, is not just a dishonorable act, but an insult to the honor of the clan. The gods do not smile on such acts. I suspect his judgment before the gods did not lead to the hall of heroes."

Kier shakes her head, "I don't understand your people, and why have you been talking trade language this whole time?"

The wolf tilts his head, "What?"

She waves an arm at the door, "Out there, everyone was speaking trade language. I understood everything that was said."

Vale looks down at the wolf in surprise then back to the doe, "Can you understand me now?"

Kier nods, "Yes, you're still speaking trade tongue."

The lynx looks down at the wolf and frowns before she looks to the older doe, "Can you understand me too?"

The older doe nods her head, "And I have a suspicion why."

Vale shakes her head, "I was not speaking trade language, I was speaking my native tongue."

Tonarth nods as he looks back to the does and rubs his chin, "And we were speaking the Wolf Clan tongue outside. Not everyone in the clan speaks the trade tongue though most can understand it." He looks over to the sleeping Lamuri, "I suspect that the Goddess has interfered again." Locking back as the pair of does he sighs, "Well will ask when she wakes. If the Goddess acted through Lamuri to allow you to understand our languages then she will know about it."

Tonarth stands and stretches, "There is little else to do except to settle in." He spreads his arms wide, "This is your home, and I wish you feel comfortable here." He points to various doors out of the grand hall, "Through there is the bathing room with its own hot spring down a short flight of stairs. Over there is the kitchen and food storage. That door leads to the upstairs sleeping rooms; there are a few you can choose from, they're all quite warm as the heat from the great hall rises to warm the entire building. We'll get you some more clothing and some items to personalize your rooms tomorrow from the market."

He reaches to stroke Lamuri's cheek, "I am going to let her rest while I bathe, please select your rooms and let me know which ones you choose." With that he walks towards the door he had indicated was the bathing area and removes his clothing, leaving the loincloth and light leather armor on a peg by the door.

Vale looks back to the does with a grin, "You gotta admit, he's got a great ass."