The young man couldn’t help but feel curious about the lands of Amaryllis. He had witnessed many challenges and quite a lot of bloodshed. Fighting wasn’t really his thing, and he felt that a pride would be necessary within the lands. The winter wasn't kind either, and though he didn't mind the chilly temperatures, the snow didn't make things easy.

So Phaedrus found himself moving towards the Summit, arriving at the borders and taking in his surroundings. He then let out a call for whoever ruled the lands and sat his butt down on the ground. He would await patiently for whoever would end up arriving. It lightly snowed upon the mountain, sending a shiver down his spine.

@Morrigan @Talisa @Isla ♔

The cold was definitely not for everyone and Talisa could certainly attest to that. Growing up she had never thought it possible that she would be living anywhere aside from Vermeda and yet, here she was co-leading one with one of the only lions in this world that made her get up every morning. The one thing that she and @Morrigan often agreed on was the fact that they didn't necessarily need or want to go recruit at the Passage. Because if they truly wanted to join them specifically, they would come to them directly. Anyone at the Passage was an unknown factor and they couldn't judge character based solely on stumbling across them and recruiting for a simple number.

So when a call rang out she attempted to remove herself from her slumbering babes and called for the closest lion to come watch them. She might have allowed Morrigan to heed the call or @Isla ♔ but Morrigan couldn't talk and she hadn't yet seen Isla this day. So, she was happy to make the travel down the snowy slopes. Barely missing the pale color of the lion that had called and chuffing to let @Phaedrus know that someone was on the way. Once she arrived she carried her head high as she briefly nodded her head, welcome to Illyria Summit. A friendly gesture and extension of kindness, while also remaining cautious after more recent events. What can I do for you? Yes, was he here for chit-chat or did he have a more specific purpose?

ART • BG

Morrigan kept herself mostly to the Summit, not so much out of fear of Talisa and Eyvindr's wrath if she re-opened her wounds (again) though that was plenty of threat, but rather to avoid the frustration of having a crown but no voice to wield it with. At least he didn't take your tongue, she thought to herself, at least this isn't permanent. Morrigan was on patrol as per her usual morning routine and so she met up with the visitor shortly after @Talisa made her greeting. The Greyflood would give a respectful dip of her skull in her own silent greeting to @Phaedrus before lifting her jaw to show to the puncture wounds. Sorry I can't greet you properly. But Talisa had always been the better one with words anyway, she had to remind herself. Perhaps this was for the best sometimes.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

Isla had heard the call while returning to her den, having gone to the icy water source to quench her thirst. While tensions were still thick in the air, the Heiress kept herself close to home for the time being, wanting to be near in case anything happened. The recent challenge for her mother's crown seemed to take a toll on not just the Snow Queen, and the ugly truth of Morrigan not being invincible a hard pill to swallow. Now Isla wasn't naïve in thinking that her mother would live forever, but she certainly did not think that she would come close to death this early in the wildcat's life.

As Isla moved toward where the call had come from her nose would would catch the scents of both @Morrigan and @Talisa, the scent of an unknown being carried in the breeze along with theirs. Mismatched eyes would soon spot the trio, a brow quirking slightly before she approached them. Hallo, she would greet the stranger, giving him a nod of her maw. She had caught Talisa's question to him, now slipping into silence. Tail sweeps behind her as she looks over at both mothers, giving them a tender smile in greeting.

@phaedrus

ART & CODE BY DEE

He could hear a chuff, and then a woman greeted him. She called the area Illyria Summit, and asked what she could do for him. Then another woman came, he glanced over at her taller stature and noticed how she didn’t say anything. Then, a third woman approached and greeted him. He offered them all a friendly smile, My name is Phaedrus Law, he introduced himself. I was wondering if I could join your ranks, I’m sure the views from the Summit are lovely, he told them all.

It sure was cold, but he had a feeling that he would get used to it. If they allowed him to stay, of course.

@Talisa @Morrigan @Isla ♔

A year or two ago, she would have been over the moon for someone as lovely as @Phaedrus to want to join her home. Her home because clearly, it was beautiful and worthy of members. And yet, she was not the same lioness from that time. So as the seemingly gentle lion stood upon her borders and she continued to offer him a sort of friendly neutrality, she swallowed and gave pause to look to her two other leaders before being the first to speak. Do you not wish to know anything about us? That was enough for her to pause when a lion in these trying times simply wishing to join because their views were presumably lovely. Of which they were but that was besides the point.

A long time ago, she was the gentle lioness who would happily invite any jack and sally into her pride and call it good, great even! But now she couldn't help but be concerned when a lion simply showed up specifically to their pride all the way to the north away from the one way in or out and asked to join them specifically. Especially if they knew next to nothing about them specifically. Not that naivety was a terrible thing but it was important that those that join them understand that just because the views are spectacular doesn't mean its easy breezy moving forward.

@Isla ♔ @Morrigan

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

Morrigan nodded in agreement with @Talisa's mild suspicion, even if it pained her that such things had become a necessity. "The views are lovely indeed, but the rest of it can be a bit... harsh. Unless you are not the fighting type?" Which was fine, needed even to balance out the fire and brimstone of Illyria's warriors. Even if he were a spy... Morrigan was of the opinion to let any such types in anyway. Let them report back what they'd witnessed, for in the Greyflood's mind it could only serve to further protect them. Perhaps @Phaedrus was simply one of those early recruits instead, only wishing to live high above the rest of the valley in as much peace as was possible. "Either way, you are welcome here, but you should know war is likely at our doorstep." Carefully, she would gauge any reaction to that information, knowing @Isla ♔ and her wife would be doing the same.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

The slightly shorter woman asked him if he didn’t want to learn more. He couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. Then the taller woman spoke up, the Summit was beautiful but harsh. She explained that he was welcome but that there might be war in the future. Ah, okay, I can handle that, he said, offering them a small nod. And sorry… I would love to know more, I didn’t quite catch your names either. He added. He paused for a second and decided that maybe he should offer a little more information about himself too. I came to Amaryllis looking for my family and rebuilding, but I haven’t been very lucky. It’s been rather lonely so I thought I may as well try to search for a strong home, he explained to them.

@Talisa @Morrigan

The valour woman hated the fact that she had to check even more boxes than ever before when guests came to her borders. That she had to truly smell them and try and gauge their reactions to questions. To put her heart away for a few minutes to try and put her mind to work, her senses and her gut. @Phaedrus seemed lovely but she might have said that about an enemy, too, if she didn't know any better.

At her question he seemed a bit flustered but apologized, clearly not having meant to be so hasty in his request to join. Talisa Valour, Sovereign here. Her eyes glance to @Morrigan as she expected her wife to introduce herself all the same. As she mentioned, living here won't be simple. Do your best to hunt with us, train with us in whatever fields your interested in. If you want and can fight, you're more than welcome to challenge for a rank. They were fairly open books to those within their pride and she continued to invite anyone to come speak to them about anything.

We are friendly with those in Andal, Vermeda, and Obsidian Hollows. Neutral with the rest of them, but be cautious with those from Ecrosia and Lorien. Lorien especially. This way if he was moseying about in the neutral territories, he would be able to get a feel for someone based on where they lived. If anything, he would be able to call for help should he find trouble with the two latter.

ART • CODE

"Morrigan Greyflood, High Sovereign." She would give her introduction but otherwise allow @Talisa to shine where she could, as she had always been far more eloquent about such things. They Greyflood opted to watch the stranger's reactions to each kingdom instead of speaking until Talisa was entirely finished. "If all of those terms are agreeable to you, the Summit welcomes you, @Phaedrus. Just in time for the warmest part of the year at that." Though it would mean some added treachery with the snowmelt, it would otherwise be glittering and clear and beautiful for the next few months. It was hard to believe it had been nearly two years since the Gods had blessed she and Talisa with these lands.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf