Kiva had never really minded these kinds of trips. Back in Wind Haven, they’d been part of the job. Carry something useful, check in, listen more than you talked, and come home with whatever news mattered. It had always felt easier than sitting around waiting for information to find its way to her. Maybe that was why, when Raelan mentioned Camhamanaich, Kiva had volunteered before she could really think too hard about it. The bundle she carried wasn’t fancy. That felt wrong, considering what had happened there.

Instead, she’d packed things that might actually matter. Dried meat, a pair of rabbits, and several smaller bundles of herbs tucked carefully between them: yarrow, calendula, chamomile, whatever Eastrenhold could reasonably spare without leaving itself short. There were probably prettier gifts she could have brought. Flowers, feathers, something ceremonial. Food and medicine seemed better. Especially after what Raelan said had happened.

Kiva adjusted the bundle against her side as she neared Camhamanaich’s territory, slowing once the unfamiliar scents became stronger. Her ears tipped forward, then sideways, taking in everything around her before she finally stopped near the border. She didn’t cross, though.

Instead, she settled the bundle carefully at her paws and lifted her head. “Hello?” she called, loud enough for her voice to carry without turning it into a shout. “My name is Kiva. I’m an ambassador here from Eastrenhold.” She paused, gaze drifting briefly toward the supplies before returning to the territory ahead.

“Raelan asked that I come check in with Camhamanaich.” Her voice softened just slightly. “We heard what happened. I brought what food and medical supplies we could spare, and I wanted to see if there was anything else your people needed.”

Naturally, Kiva had not been permitted to go alone, now whether she had actually invited Flannery was a matter of interpretation. Flannery preferred to remember the conversation as something along the lines of I'm going to Camhamanaich, followed by the perfectly reasonable assumption that this meant Flannery, you should come with me.

So she had.

The fiery girl had spent most of the journey ranging somewhere between Kiva's side and several lengths ahead, only to double back when something caught her attention. Which was often. She had even offered to help carry the supplies, once which only lasted a few minutes before she had forgotten she was supposed to be helping. 

Camhamanaich had been hers before Eastrenhold ever was, before Kiva had come along and through some bizarre sequence of events neither of them had planned, acquired herself one exceptionally loud, relentlessly curious shadow. Flannery had not exactly left Camhamanaich in any traditional sense, instead Kiva appeared and Flannery had followed. And somewhere along the way she'd decided that was where she lived now.

She rocked forward eagerly when Kiva called out though for once she seemed to remember enough manners not to barrel straight across the border without permission. Instead she planted herself beside the ambassador, vibrating with excitement as Kiva explained why they'd come. Do you dink dey'll remember me?

Flannery's shoulder bumped affectionately against Kiva's before she turned her attention eagerly toward the territory again, searching for any familiar face that might emerge to greet them.

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notes

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tiny ewan cameo <3 skip unless addressed

it was a long process for ewan to make his way anywhere, made longer by the eye that stardust always had upon him. but he was old enough now that most children might have been afforded some measure of independence, and with exhausted legs he had dragged himself into the cool shade of a spire.

where the sun fell in the afternoons there were tufts of golden flowers that drew ewan's attention. the adults were always concerned with their flowers and herbs... which he knew largely nothing about, only that they tasted foul. but he knew also that everyone was concerned about having enough flowers.

they had not told him directly, but he was not deaf. ewan lay there for several moments until he had regained his breath, then lurched forward on wobbly forelimbs to snip the stem of one in his teeth.

that was until someone spoke, and jolted him out of his distraction.

he did not know the voice, and so he capitulated to instinct; nape prickling, heart pounding, he flattened himself against the side of the spire and went still. it was not the voice he remembered in nightmare; but it was not pack, either, and not to be trusted.

Kiva had been amused by Flannery’s enthusiasm throughout their journey, although she’d learned quickly that asking the other woman to help carry supplies was a lost cause. Not that she minded. She enjoyed the company, and having someone familiar with Camhanaich along certainly couldn’t hurt. When Flannery bumped against her shoulder and asked whether anyone would remember her, Kiva laughed and gave her a playful nudge in return. “Oh, I’m sure they will. You’re not exactly the sort of woman people forget, ya know.” She grinned, her amber eyes dancing with amusement. “Although whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I suppose we’ll find out.” She gave Flannery another teasing look before turning her attention back toward the territory.

It wasn’t long before someone appeared to greet them, and Kiva’s smile softened as she took in the stranger’s appearance. Goodness. Raelan had told her what had happened, but hearing about something and seeing the aftermath were two very different things. The scars across his face and ears were difficult to miss, as was the way he seemed to favor one shoulder. He looked exhausted, too. She couldn’t imagine how difficult things must have been for the wolves here lately. Her gaze briefly wandered toward the surrounding territory, where she caught sight of a smaller figure tucked against one of the spires. A child, perhaps? She couldn’t quite tell from here, and she wasn’t about to go poking around where she hadn’t been invited. Especially not when everyone seemed to have good reason to be wary of strangers.

“Thank you. I appreciate the welcome,” she replied warmly, dipping her head in greeting. “And please, don’t feel like you need to go to any trouble on our account. I know you’ve got plenty on your plate already.” She glanced down at the bundle she’d brought, nudging it forward slightly. “I’ve got some dried meat, a couple of rabbits, and a few different herbs. Yarrow, calendula, chamomile. I wasn’t sure what you’d be running low on, so I figured a little variety wouldn’t hurt.” She offered him a small smile. “It’s not a whole lot, but I hope it’ll help.”

At his invitation, Kiva nodded and carefully gathered the supplies again, waiting for him to lead the way before crossing the border. She couldn’t help noticing the way his eyes kept searching beyond them, though she was polite enough not to comment on it. Whatever had happened here had clearly left its mark, and she had no intention of making anyone feel uncomfortable. “I’m Kiva, by the way. And this is Flannery, although I have a feeling you two might already know each other.” She glanced toward her companion with an affectionate grin before returning her attention to Lestan. “Raelan sends his regards. He wanted to make sure your people knew Eastrenhold hasn’t forgotten about you.” Her expression softened. “And if there’s anything else you need, I’d be happy to bring word back to him. That’s what I’m here for, after all.”