The Walls...wait, walls?!

[Deleted]

It had been more then a year now, since Aueril had become the new Leader of Ilyamen, even longer since she had people start rebuilding the walls protecting the city.

They were finally done. Yes, they. Two walls surrounded the city now; one was right against the city, four gates leading into it with a near constant flow of traffic going through each of them.

Miles away from the main city another wall had been constructed making use of both natural formations such as thick forests, rivers, lakes and cliffs. There were not many of these, but, the wall was put up to make full use of them all.

However, the completion had been done and the Leader was not around. Whispers went up here and there wondering now what to do.

***

In the city, however, the guards had gone through a major change. All of them now knew how to properly wield their blades, use some manner of hand to hand combat and how to work in groups.

It wasn't that they didn't know this before, but it was more...apparent now. At each gate, four guards were stationed, and more patrolled the streets.

However, despite the many guards about, the populace were relaxed and comfortable, many even having friendly conversations with passing guards.

[hisdivineshadow]

Adarr sat comfortably in the grass just outside the city, a contemplative look on his face as he examined the newly-finished walls. A large, golden-brown she-wolf sat by his side, her head resting on his lap. There was silence between the two companions for some time, then the wolf nudged him and uttered a questioning whine.

Adarr laughed and scratched behind her ears. <<Sorry, guess I got lost in thought there. It's been a lot of work, a good solid year. Feels nice to have it done, right?>> Any non-Beast observing would just hear a series of unintelligible barks and growls, completely missing the subtle body language and variations in pitch and tone that added context and meaning to his uttering.

The wolf looked up at him for a brief moment, then rolled her eyes and leaned into his scratches, grumbling quietly. The message was a familiar one: <<You talk too much.>>

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A young girl, a child, really, trotted up over a small hill and gave a start at seeing Adarr and this rather larger...wolf. Curiously, she came closer and then called out so that they would have ample time to react.

"Hi there!" her voice was rather squeaky.

[hisdivineshadow]

By the time she called out, both were already aware of her presence and had decided she didn't seem dangerous. Adarr turned to look at her with a friendly smile and waved a hand. "Hello! What's your name?"

[Deleted]

"I'm Karrina. I saw you out here looking at this great new wall and wondered...what it was you were doing."

She looked at the she-wolf and then at Adarr. "Is...is she...he? can I pet?"

[hisdivineshadow]

"Well, that'll be up to her, but I doubt she'll mind." He chuckled and patted the wolf on the head. "I'm Adarr, and this is Blossom. We were just taking a bit of satisfaction in a job well done."

Blossom gave a little snuffle. <<I was just enjoying the sun.>>

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"Oooh...yes, it is rather nice, isn't it? Mama said that it would keep us all safe!" the little girl laughed, a slightly high pitched sound and tentatively offered her hand to the wolf.

[hisdivineshadow]

"That's the idea," Adarr agreed with a grin.

Blossom glanced at the girl curiously, then sniffed her hand before giving it a lick. <<You're okay,>> she decided, and tilted her head in encouragement of petting.

[Deleted]

Going to her knees in front of the wolf, Karrina petted the large creature, running her small hands through it's fur. "Oh..." she said after a bit. "That's right. I was sent to find you. Apparently the Lady Aueril will be returning to Ilyamen soon, and my dad - a guard - said that you were on a list to be called to go to her once she got back."