For Ralla (and Dawali?). Set at the borders, evening. 416 words.

The note had come through the messaging system his Majordomo had set up using the birds, but the dog King had been unable to read the words written in a foreign script. Vigilante had never learned to read—or write, for that matter—though his mate and his children could. It was a useful skill, he knew, but it was not something he had ever taken the time to learn and now, he had aged and did not have the time nor patience to learn. Ayita had taught their sons; that was all that was important. He did not need to learn, he felt.

When the note had been received, the dog mutt had been confused briefly, but he had quickly called for the closest member of his family to read it to him, for he knew it was meant for him. Noah had struggled briefly over the words, for it was written by hand and not printed in a book, but he had read the message aloud to his father. Vigilante's demeanor had turned grave; Noah had wanted to know why. His father, however, dismissed the questions, for he did not want to tell Noah what had happened in detail. The boy was still too young, not yet even an adult, hardly old enough to shift. His son did not need to hear any of the few ways that the message from AniWaya could be interpreted. He simply didn't.

It had taken him a day to leave after the message was received, and in that time, he had greatly considered who might be the culprit in question. There was no doubt in his mind that they would not be a member of the Court for much longer, for he would never allow someone like that to remain in his pack. The trouble came from not knowing who it was. It could not be anyone he knew, and that meant it was one of the newer members, more than likely. He had not accepted any of the newer members except Keese. Could it be him? He had allowed the male to stay as a Serf because of Anann, but if it had been him... He would be out. There would be no question of that. Vigilante had been hesitant to let him stay as it was.

The secui dog King approached the borders silently, jade eyes scanning the fence before him. He lifted his muzzle and called for the pack's leadership. They had matters to discuss.

300+ words.

The dog King waited in composed silence for the leader of AniWaya to arrive, his muscles tense despite his usual stoic demeanor. It was not something he could help, really, for a member of his pack had done something so horrible to warrant the written message from the council of the neighboring tribe. The dog mutt was not at all accepting of anything that might have prompted this meeting. It sickened him to think that a member of his own pack might have violated a member of another pack. It was a deplorable act. It was unacceptable.

Though it felt like an eternity passed from the point of the howl that had greeted his own and the time when the alabastor female approached, the King knew it had not taken much time at all. He was simply on edge and it was understandable that he was stressed about this entire matter. He rose to his feet as she aproached and dipped his head in a returned greeting. He knew very little of AniWaya and its culture, and it was unfortunate that he was here now on the business that he was. Vigilante very much wished that he was able to learn more about them in a more pleasant atmosphere.

"Hello Ralla," he spoke with his usual dignified tone. "I am Vigilante Haskel, King of Cour des Miracles. I received your letter," he continued, though perhaps it was not at all necessary to specify this. What else would he be there for? The King did not mention the fact that his young son had been the one to actually read the letter aloud for him. Though he had been bothered by the fact that Noah had needed to read the letter at all, it had not been Ralla's fault that the King's son now knew about the potential disgusting acts of a feelow court member.