A group of wolves appeared on the ridge their coats creamy browns, soft greys, and roan, shone in the morning glare.The alpha a large pure black male almost as big as the dire. Wolves of antiont times stood at the front his ears pulled tight on his head. Tag pawed the ground nervesly. The alpha snarled a challenge Aspen growled quietly scraping long trails in the dirt with her claws. A silvery cream wolf from the pack chuffed in seemingly amusmente. Ha she seemed to say like you half dog could challenge us. Aspen Snarled showing her fangs, but her nerveous twitching ears have her away. Aspen and the she- wolf circled eatch dareing the other. Finally the wolf couldn't take the suspense, she lunged Aspen dived around and clawed her flank. The she- wolf snapped her teeth ripping off some of the fur from Aspens neck. Aspen retaliated and bit her ear. The end-to-end wolf backed off her tail and head low in submission. The black Alpha growled and turned tail leading the pack away. Aspen watched them go her head held high.

It wouldn't take Ruina all day to reach Ritha. From what she remembered it was a half a day's ride to Ritha's castle. She would arrive about... Grey eyes flicker up towards the sky. She'd arrive about midday or just after midday. She could push her horse, but that would only save her an hour at most. And she figured it really wasn't worth pushing her horse and possibly injuring him. They would keep going at a trot and push at a gallop occasionally.

Ruina hums to herself as they go. Maverick was a quick stallion even at a walk. Ruina leans forward, clicking her tongue and Maverick breaks into a trot and then a canter. After a few seconds of a canter, Ruina leans forward some more, clicking her tongue again. Maverick's head goes down lower and the stallion breaks into a gallop. Despite the reason she was on the move, Ruina couldn't help but smile. She loved the feel of the wind blowing through her hair. If not for her having to train some soldiers, she would be out with Maverick on a daily racing through meadows and just enjoying the day.

Ruina let the stallion gallop for ten minutes before she slowed him down to a walk again. The stallion's flanks were heaving, but he was still moving with determination. It seemed Maverick wasn't quite tired enough to need a rest. Ruina leans down to pat his shoulder,"Good boy." The stallion's black ears flicker back for a moment, before pricking forward again. Ruina felt Maverick move into a weird gait and she rolls her eyes. The stallion loved to prance especially after being praised. Arrogant boy. "Walk normally." The stallion ignores her and Ruina pulls on the reins slight,"Walk normal." Maverick throws his head but reluctantly obeys.

Soon midday started to creep closer, and the in the far horizon, Ritha's castle could be seen. Ruina nods with satisfaction, she was on schedule, she'd arrive right on time. As long as she didn't run into any trouble between here and the castle. She knew Truhan well. But not Ritha. She would have to be alert for anything. Especially after the murder of the prince. Who knew what was out there? She wasn't about to let herself get jumped.

But, thankfully, Ruina reached the capital of Ritha with no issue. After some more hours of riding, the castle of Ritha comes into sight. Appearing on the horizon and growing bigger with every step. Ruina was still on edge though. Not only was Maverick's breastplate branded with Truhan's symbol. Ruina's cloak, Truhan's royal blue, stuck out. They would be noticed. Even though Ruina's clothing and Maverick's tack was black. The color on the cloak and the emblem would draw attention. Hopefully no bad attention though. Ruina urges Maverick into a trot.

As the two approach the town surrounding Ritha's castle, Ruina slows her horse to a walk. Already eyes were moving towards her and her stallion. People wondering why a Truhan was in their lands. No doubt the king had not told anyone about Ritha asking Truhan for help solving the prince's murder

Toklo looked at the sun it was a few hours before mid day he new tag could make it with his amazing stamina but he wasn't so sure if Aspen could normally she could do it with a good sleep after but after the fight with the wolf he was it so sure...but they had to try right? Toklo spurred tag into a gallop his long leaping strides pushing him faster and faster aspen loped a bit behind almost matching the pace the river faded into view and Toklo reined Tag in to a steady trot they crossed the bridge and the castle came into view. Toklo dismounted and lead Tag with the reins to the castle gates.

Mid day had come Toklo had dismounted tag to wait for the unknown tuhan warrior Aspen was by his side sitting her mouth open with her tounge lolling out tag was tied to a post absently eating the short grass and clover Toklo had changed his usually brown and green mottled cloak to a more winter friendly white and grey with sploches of forest camo. Aspen scratched neck tearing of shedding strands of her golden summer coat to a mellow light and dark gray Wolfish one, a storm was coming and if the warrior didn't get here soon they might not leave rita till well after Sundown.

As soon as Ruina got into the courtyard, she dismounts, handing the reins to the stablehand that came rushing up. "Get him cleaned up for me please." Flipping some coins at the stablehand, who thanks her as he catches them. Then the stablehand was off towards the stables, Maverick following. There wasn't anything valuable in the saddlebags, so she wasn't worried about losing anything. The most valuable thing she had on her was her sword, and that was strapped firmly to her hip. The guards who were in the courtyard were examining her with curiosity. She takes a deep breath, grey eyes sweeping around.

"I need to speak with your king. Take me to him." The guards hesitate, muttering to each other. Were they really going to obey the word of a female? There was no way this female was a warrior. But the look in her eyes, and the posture suggested otherwise. Finally one guard steps forward,"Come with me." Ruina nods, stepping forward to move after the guard who turns to enter the castle. "Is he in the throne room?" The guard throws a look over his shoulder,"Yes. Is he expecting you?" Ruina grimaces,"Yes." Well, he was expecting a Truhan warrior. But probably not a female warrior.

But, Ruina keeps that to herself as the guard nears some large doors. "This is our throne room." He states as he rounds the corner, to enter the large doors, Ruina on his heels. In the throne room sat the three thrones for the royals. Two were filled, the king and queen, but one was empty. Ruina walks forward, sweeping into a bow as she reaches the two. "Your Majesties." Her cloak falls a little, but mainly stays on her shoulders.

Toklo entered the main grounds of palace a stable hand rushed orver even though Tag eyed him suspiciously Toklo rested a hand on his neck and handed the reins to the stablehand. He and Aspen walked to the main palace the path weaving through trees any onlookers would have found it strange that is rather shabby cloak blended in so well with the forestry seemenly simmering with magic.

The door to the palace was guarded " I'm here to see the king" he said the guard eyes Aspen suspiciously.

" no dogs in the palace... Or what ever that is" he said gruffly

" were ever I go she goes"

"Fine but we're watching you"

Toklo swept his cloak in front of him and stepped through the door way ignoring the warning glances of guards. He enterd the throne room the king some guards and a female forgine by the Looks of her were in the room. Toklo motioned Aspen to sit. It seemed the Truhan was late.

The king studies the Truhan warrior,"What may we help you with. Have you brought a message? Is your warrior close behind?" Ruina fights the urge to do anything except reply calmly,"I am Truhan's warrior. The king has sent me to aid you." Ritha's king frowns,"Your kidding." Ruina shakes her head,"No, Your Majesty. I am the warrior." She almost made a vague motion towards her hip, where her sword rested. To show she was not kidding. The emblem of Truhan's warriors was emboldened on her cloak anyway. And why would she lie?

The king narrows his eyes,"Hmm, I suppose I am desperate enough to have a female help." He leans forward,"You have been informed of what you must do?" Ruina inclines her head,"Indeed." Ritha's king nods,"Good. You will be working with one of my own warriors." He gestures towards a man who Ruina had not noticed before. A man with auburn hair and amber eyes. "The quicker you find the murderer, the better. Get to work at once. Someone will show you to your quarters later."

Ruina bows, before heading out the door. She figured the man would come meet her outside the throne room and they could discuss on the way to their horses. The king was correct, the quicker they figured this all out, the quicker Ruina could return home.

Toklo headed into court yard Aspen behind him her canine claws scrapping the stone with the sun trying to beat the early morning frost... there was a girl wearing the truhan warrior symbol on her cloak is this a joke? He thought ... We'll see ... He slung his bow across his shoulder and asked: "Who are you?"

Ruina brightens up slightly as she sees a stable hand waiting in the courtyard with her horse. She strides across the clearing to take the reins, thanking the stable hand and flipping him a few coins. The stable hand perks up as he snags the coins and after thanking the warrior, he hurried off. Ruina digs in her pocket for a sugar cube, giving to her horse. "Here you go, Maverick." The stallion nickers happily as he chomps down the sugar cube. Drawing a small smile from Ruina as she scratched the horse. Leaning against him. With any luck she'd get the details quickly.

She did not want to stay inside the castle. Suddenly she hears someone behind her demanding to know she was and she turns. Grey eyes cold and collected. "I am Ruina of Truhan. Sent here by the king to help." Her voice just as cold and collected as her eyes. She was not going to be undermined by anyone. She came to help. If anyone dared, she would go to the king and request someone else or simply leave. She would not allow herself or Truman's generosity be disrespected in such a way