ELRETH

"There must be so many ways that you all are protecting us and our people," Elreth added. "I would like to know all of them. In detail."

The men of the Security Council shifted in their seats, but Lhern nodded. "Well… as always, we keep watch for any return of the traitor wolves and their sect. But so far, there have been no hints."

"I'm glad to hear it. Are the scouts trailing any Silent Ones?"

"The prides are having cubs, so the males aren't wandering right now. That becomes more of an issue later, in the summer, when the young males look to find females, and the older males seek to protect their prides."

He continued then, and his voice was such a dead drone, the sleepless nights threatened to catch up with Elreth. Until one phrase rang in her head so unexpectedly, she interrupted the elder.

"Hold. I'm sorry to interrupt, but… did you say you continue to scout the portal for human invaders?" This was a not a threat she'd ever heard her father speak of in any serious terms.

Lhern flapped a hand. "Only for tradition. Twice a week scouts are sent to the portal to ensure there haven't been unwanted visitors. It has happened for age upon age. Honestly, we have discussed ceasing the practice more than once."

Elreth blinked. "Do not stop the scouts," she said, though she couldn't say why the thought gave her a creeping chill on the back of her neck. She made a mental note to ask her father what he knew of this. "Please, go on."

But Lhern had nothing to add to that particular point. And so it went. Elreth asked as many questions as she could think of, and Lhern had an answer for all of them. And while everything was presented with the utmost respect, Elreth sensed a hum in the room. A tension in the men that she's couldn't place.

After less than an hour, she was almost out of questions and the men just sat there, watching her.

Elreth frowned. What was she missing?

What was it her father always said? Don't deny the truth—just use the timing to your advantage?

"Well, I am as always grateful that you are all here for us and our people, watching over these things as you do," she said with a smile. Lhern nodded, accepting the compliment. But Elreth wasn't done. "Since it seems we haven't even used half our time, perhaps we could have something of a frank discussion? You know, leader to leader?"

The older man tipped his head. "Of course, Sire. Your needs will always be addressed by this council. Always."

"I'm glad to hear it. Then perhaps one of you can explain to me why all of you are sitting here this morning as if you're each perched on a prickle-tree? What is it that you do not want me to know—or that you fear I might ask?"

Lhern blinked. His mouth dropped open, but then closed again. He'd never been as good as Brant at hiding his feelings. And now his scent was twisted with a distinct tendril of discomfort.

Even guilt?

Elreth smiled pleasantly, and waited.

Lhern wasn't Alpha of the Security Council for no reason, though. He didn't allow his fluster to show again, only straightened in his chair before he answered. "I'm not sure there's anything being hidden from you, Sire. Perhaps what you're perceiving is our discomfort with the… new situation?"

"Because I'm female?"

"Yes. It is unprecedented and will provide certain… awkward situations at times. We will learn to navigate them I'm sure, but—"

"But you want to make sure my dominance will stick, as it were, before you delve into those things?"

Lhern blinked. "Yes. I suppose that is one way to put it," he said, no longer smiling.

"Well, while I appreciate that change is never comfortable, and this kind of change even more so, I would challenge each of you to ask yourselves if my brother sat here, whether you would feel the same concerns? Would you continue to hold back as you are?"

Lhern sat back in his chair. "There is discomfort and a time of transition for every new Ruler, Sire. Be they male or female, young or old. There is always a season of… consideration for us."

Elreth accepted that. "Fair enough. But perhaps I could offer a new perspective?"

"You can try." Oh, the training gloves were coming off now.

Elreth smiled. "You might find a better measure of me—as a female, and as a leader—if you were to actually present your concerns so I might face them head-on. I've found it's often in those more awkward, or uncomfortable circumstances that you get the better measure of an Anima."

She knew the older men wouldn't appreciate having life advice from a young female, but she hoped to break them out of their stiff care. She needed them committed, not watching her like a lion in the grass.

"As I said, Sire, I am not aware of any issues that have not been covered in our discussion," Lhern said through his teeth. "Though I will take that advice into consideration for our later conversations, of course."

Elreth sighed. "Really, Lhern? You want to play the game?"

The man just stared.

Very well. "I find it… interesting that throughout your briefing this morning you've made no mention of the disformed, the conflicts between tribes, and the potential fuel added to that particular fire by Aaryn's refusal to receive the call to Cohort."

Everyone in the room went very still.