"Lovely plan," Julian spoke up. Darius’ eyes moved to his and looked the man up and down. He was always a strange character, he loved his job yet he always acted like he could not care less about the things that happened around him.
"As we have silenced Ryker, must we not take his words into account?" The old man leaned back into his seat and folded his arms. "I would have, if Serena was a terrible candidate for this. Silas told me of her speech in Ficus, Alexander relayed how she bested a squad leader, and I have seen how she can command a crowd just yesterday."
Darius blinked slowly and a slow smile spread across his lips. He had not expected praise to come from such a stingy man like Julian.
"I had my doubts, but she has poured herself into the books. I suppose miracles happen when you are desperate enough," Julian continued. He took off his glasses and looked directly at Serena now. "Well done, but you will have to double your efforts in the coming days."
General Silas cleared his throat and drew everyone’s attention to him. The burly man did not seem particularly pleased at the happenings of this meeting. "Talk to us about Dawnbreak."
Darius looked over to Iris and nodded to her. It was her signal to rise from her seat. The slim woman placed her hands on the table and addressed the people in the room.
"Dawnbreak. It has been ages since we began our talks. In recent months, we have received swift replies, which leads me to believe that something is afoot," Iris began. "It is not a secret that we are on our last legs and it has been... difficult. Our resources are depleting quicker than I expected and without this bone the North is throwing us, I do not see us lasting for the next five years, in between these attacks we have been having."
Serena listened attentively. Yes, she was right. Trade was always an important backbone for any pack. No mini society could be isolated completely, no matter how prosperous they are. Something would have to force their hand—even vampires who turned their nose at most creatures in Kaldora had trade dealings.
She scratched the back of her ear and relaxed in her chair slightly. Serena had eased into the meeting. The praise Julian had offered her had made her smile.
"Do you have something to say, Scoutmaster?" Elder Iris asked.
"Yes, actually. It is just a hunch after all, but I think the North is having rogue issues as well. You know how they behave over there."
Darius pressed his lips in a thin line. Emmett had a gift. He proved hard to kill or fool. His instinct and skills had led him to become the current Scoutmaster of Ironshade. It was a good idea. Dawnbreak had a strong hold on the North and most of the pack up North, if not all, answered to them. So it was natural that they would take responsibility for the safety there.
General Silas threw his head back and laughed. "What arrogant wolves. Now they want us because of the idea of blood being spilled on their doorsteps."
"They are cunning wolves after all. Still... it is tragic," Elder Evelyn added.
"Do we know anything about their customs?" Livia asked, finally speaking up.
"Yes, but it is nothing of note. What I mean is, it is not anything we have to adjust to," Julian answered.
"Letters will be sent to everyone detailing what is to be done to the tea, but I do not think we would have to act on all these contingency plans," Elder Evelyn said.
"We will give them high-quality iron as a welcome gift. Uncut ore that glows. I am sure they would like it," said the Moonseeker.
Serena looked down at the paper in front of her. The handwriting was neat and detailed what needed to be done. It was a well-thought-out plan that the oldest elder had penned down. They were to be wary but open their arms to Dawnbreak.
"And you, my dear," the Moonseeker said, turning her attention to Serena, "would be one of the weights on the balance. This will be a favourable outcome for us all."
The woman nodded and then an idea popped into her head. "When they come, why can’t we invite them for a local hunt?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelꜰire.net
Emmett stroked his chin. "Hm yes, that would make sense. It would be a good way to assess if there needs to be hard measures put into place."
"So be it then. We will have that arranged and penned into our schedule," Darius said.
The meeting went on for quite some time after that. It was just them hashing out a few minor details and then everyone was dismissed. Serena left the room quickly. She hardly had friends present except for Darius, and she was sure he would be occupied.
She walked for a bit in the hallway before she bumped into a slouched figure. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw who it was. Livia looked at her with hollow eyes and then she scoffed.
"Why would you defend my parents like that, even when I have treated you ? Why are you... not like them?" Livia asked. Her voice sounded empty.
Serena blinked before she put two and two together. The ’them’ Livia was referring to were rogues. The simple answer to Livia’s question was because she did not deserve to be dragged into whatever point Ryker was trying to prove.
"I am truly sorry for your loss, but I couldn’t let him go on like that. It was unfair."
Serena stood still, waiting for Livia to reply to her, but the other woman kept her gaze forward and said nothing. She exhaled and made to walk past Livia, but she was stopped by a clutch at her wrist.
"Please, just go before it gets worse for you. Leave."