Sanctuary of the Earthwarden

Of course, such a grisly spectacle would not have bothered the werewolf in the slightest. He had likely created far more gruesome carnage amongst living people in his time alive, but he understood not all lived there lives so violently. He calmly took his piece in his hand, cursing as he remembered too late that it was still hot.

"Dammit! You guys get a good fire going. Perks of hanging around dragons I guess."

There is a sudden tear in the air above the valley floor. A gaping whole leading to another world ripped open by a being from another. Out of this hole wolves begin to emerge, massive timber wolves spilling out onto the valley floor. The pack as it exits rushes out into the valley to explore and hunt. The last figures to emerge from the tear are a wolf easily three times the size of the others and something like a man. The entity that stepped out of the tear before it closed had the shape of a man. Tall and with lean muscle and a certain gauntness about him like he was starved. On his head was leather mask, with two narrow slits for eyes, and decorated with a set of massive stag antlers. One could mistake him for a man or elf at a casual glance, but not for very long. There is a weight and gravity in his being that speaks of unfathomable power and ancient wisdom. He carries with him an aura the permeates the valley, the aura of the hunt. Of rending claws and tearing fangs of gasping breaths and pounding hunts. This being is the Erlkönig and he has come to this valley for a nap. He had grown tired of waiting in the spirit realm and wished to go somewhere with few mortals to disturb him. This valley belonged to a child of the earth and would suit his purpose nicely.

Erlkönig watched the approach of the massive dragon curiously. Large enough to be interesting quarry, pity she was not game he could hunt. He cocks his head curiously as she shrinks into a humanoid form. Evidently she would parlay not posture, better for them both he supposed. He doubted displays of power by either of them would have the intended effect. The being introduced herself as an Earthwarden, so this was the new one Gaia had chosen not so long ago. His deep feral voice resound clearly through the clearing.

"Greetings Va'nei, I am Erlkönig Lord of the Sidhe, King of Elves, Master of the hunt. This your sanctuary? I was unaware I simply felt the power of the earth and decided it was a nice place to nap."

"You are very courteous child. It is an honor to meet the earth newest warden. The pack will leave your adopted child be. Still to have adopted a child, I suppose you are a bit young to have children of your own."

The mask makes his expression impossible to read. There is however a note of humor in his voice. He is clearly finding some small amusement in poking at the difference int their age. He turns towards a grassy hill and begins to amble off. After he takes a few steps he pauses and calls back to her.

"I will take my nap, us old spirits need our sleep. When I awake I would talk if you are amicable. It is not often I meet one with such a strong bond to the earth. We have much we could discuss."

There is the soft pad of paws as the massive wolf approaches. Lakuam does not announce his presence he knows the Earthwarden can sense him. The spirit sits on his haunches and stares at the dragon, then her child. Curious they did not share the same scent, his masters voice sounds in his head. Ah, an adopted child. Rare with dragons, but not unheard of. Once the dragon acknowledges him the wolf would speak.

"I am Lakuam second to The Erlkönig. He requests your presence once more. He would normally pay you due deference by coming to you, as this is your home. However his aura may upset your child, so he thinks you may prefer to come to him instead."

Erlkönig sat in the grass at the top of the hill. His dragon bone spear thrust through a rock next to him. He cocks his head curiously as the Earthwarden approaches. The bow was an interesting choice and in turn he nods his head. The direct question surprises him slightly. Did she not know his ways? Or did she know she was safe from the ways he could abuse such things. Either way he nods his head slowly.

"My nap was indeed pleasant. You have done well in nurturing this valley. Gaia tells me you slept for some time, that she noticed means it must have been a consequential amount of time. I have rested on occasion before, but never long enough that she might notice."

Though it wasn't directly stated this was a question. It was the way of the ancient Sidhe. A favor for a favor, a game that had been so twisted that even a question could count as a favor. Though the younger Fae had grown out of such games he still followed the older rules. Direct questions were very rare from him.

Erlkönig chuckled at her words. It was rather amusing he only vaguely understood how the mortals counted years, but he understood numbers. She had spent more time asleep than awake it was amusing. The comment about dragons provoked a shrug. The last time he had walked this plane they had also been in decline. It gave him an interesting theory that he decided to voice.

"Perhaps the number of dragons is somewhat cyclical. Much like that of wolves. When prey is scarce they go into decline until the prey replenishes. When last I walked this plane there were few dragons like now. A shame, the cocky ones made for worthy sport."