Charlotte stepped aside and gave a courteous tilt of her head as Livia strode through the doorway with her usual collected grace. Serena offered a small, apologetic smile to Charlotte as she followed behind the tall woman, her own boots echoing softly on the polished stone floor. The meeting room was not the one they’d used before. This venue had a peculiar charm to it. It had high arched ceilings and behind the large council table, a full stretch of windows that let in the bright afternoon light. It cast warm hues on the grey stone walls and the Ironshade crest that hung behind the chairs.
A handful of seats were already filled. Elder Iris sat toward the end, a collection of documents in her arms, speaking lowly to Elder Julian, who was sorting through a leather-bound ledger. Elder Cedar offered a curt nod at their entrance, though he didn’t rise. Elder Silas, as always, sat stiffly, his hands clasped before him as though he were restraining himself from speaking before the meeting began. Ryker was beside him, one ankle resting over a knee in a position far too relaxed to be genuine.
Serena took a breath and let her eyes sweep across the room. Notably missing were Riven and Darius. She bit her lip. They were late. It was expected there were the kings on the chess board that was being played.
Her gaze lingered across the room, catching on Elen. The young woman was seated near Verac, eyes cast low, her hands in her lap. Serena tried to meet her gaze, hoping to offer a soft, perhaps even apologetic look, but Elen didn’t so much as twitch in her direction. Guilt stirred low in her gut. Of course the woman felt betrayed after everything.
Serena turned her attention elsewhere to distract herself. She listened in on a quiet exchange between Julian and Iris, something about new ledgers being required due to a growing miscount in village records. Silas threw in a grumble about needing the coin for actual soldiers, not parchment, and Cedar quickly hushed him. Nothing she wanted to listen to right now.
Then Serena’s attention was drawn to a woman she had not really noticed before. She was breathtaking, if she were being honest. Rich brown skin, coiled dark hair pulled back with a simple brass pin, and eyes as sharp as a blade. She was seated to the side, likely not one of the elders from Dawnbreak, but her posture spoke of self-importance. A noble? An advisor?
Serena caught the woman’s gaze and offered a polite nod, speaking up in her best neutral Crimsonclaw drawl, "You are new to this gathering, I presume?"
The woman smiled with careful ease, her voice melodious but firm. "Indeed. I am only recently returned from the southern lowlands. I have yet to grow used to the company of western wolves." She tilted her head, eyeing Serena with keen curiosity. "I have met a northerner or two before, from Dawnbreak, by chance. But Crimsonclaw? You are the first. What a marvel."
Serena offered a demure smile. "We are few and far between. And many prefer to keep to the borders, especially those in trade." She glanced toward Charlotte, who gave nothing away, and then added, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise," the woman replied, eyes still tracing Serena with interest. "I am Amara of Redfell."
Before more could be said, the door opened and in walked Riven, followed immediately by Darius.
The room shifted at once. Several elders straightened in their seats. A few servants moved to shut the doors properly behind them. Darius did not sit immediately, he greeted each elder with a nod, exchanged a word with Silas, and gave Serena and Charlotte a glance that didn’t linger long enough to betray anything.
Riven, more subdued than usual, muttered something to Verac before taking the empty seat near Cedar. Darius finally lowered himself into the head chair, his posture composed but clearly weary.
"We thank you all for coming," he began. "And beg pardon for our delay." This text is hosted at novel~fire~net
"Of course," Iris murmured, ever gracious. Julian simply dipped his quill in ink and began writing again.
"Let us begin with the matter of medicine," Darius continued, shifting his attention to Iris. "What are our current reserves?"
Iris straightened. "We have received a shipment from the northern villages, and Longdale’s stores have been replenished, though barely. The autumn pox has claimed much of our alchemists’ time. And there is still dispute over the routing of Crimsonclaw’s elixirs."
Serena kept her expression neutral as all eyes briefly turned to her.
She stood, offering a small bow of respect, her accent deliberately lighter than usual. "Crimsonclaw’s contribution has not changed. We maintain our pledged shipments. Should there be concern regarding consistency, we are open to discussing a more centralised route through Rooksgrave or the Bramble Pass."
Silas, arms crossed, snorted. "Conveniently near Dawnbreak territory."
"That is where our facilities are," Charlotte said dryly, "and the terrain remains safer than the roads spiralling to Stormcrest, which have seen recent attacks."
That drew murmurs. The rogue incursions in the West were nothing short of the ordinal and everyone knew that.
"Regardless," Darius said, lifting a hand, "we’ll arrange for a new inspection of both routes before the solstice."
"Thank you, Alpha," Serena said smoothly and resumed her seat.
Cedar adjusted the stack of papers before him. "We’ve had several requests from tailors in the border villages. There’s renewed interest in rare dyes, indigo, cochineal, and the likes. Crimsonclaw is known to work with such materials, is that not correct, Ambassador?"
Serena folded her hands atop the table and offered a gentle smile. "We do have access, yes. Some of our dyers work with cochineal directly from the coastal routes. But naturally, such goods are in high demand."
Her eyes flicked to the people in the room, this was not an actual request as she had been told by Livia this was simply for show and inclusion.
Charlotte leaned back, one brow raised. "And rarely do we entertain sole trading rights."
Cedar blinked. "Ah, of course. I only meant-"
"To suggest Dawnbreak has already made an offer?" Serena asked, feigning polite curiosity.
Julian coughed lightly behind his records.
"There have been discussions," Cedar said carefully.
Charlotte nodded once. "Then it is fortunate Crimsonclaw has finally rejoined the trading scene. Monopolies are dreadfully dull."
Serena added smoothly, "And unwise. A wise pack keeps its options open, don’t you think, Elder?"
There was a short pause before Cedar gave a clipped nod. "Naturally."
Charlotte offered a courteous smile. "We look forward to further discussions. Perhaps something mutually beneficial."