The rugged peaks and ancient forests of Ulvaren, the ancestral home of the Bloodhowl Clan, had received the news of Kaelen's unexpected coronation in Caeloria with a complex tapestry of emotions. Pride, fierce and untamed as the land itself, was undeniable. Their lord, the strong and resolute wolf who had always placed the needs of his pack above all else, now wore a crown, ruling over a kingdom born from the ashes of their former enemy. It was a tale whispered around crackling fires and echoed in the long, mournful howls that carried through the valleys – a testament to Kaelen's strength and the role he had played in vanquishing the Shadow Queen.
Yet, intertwined with this pride was a deep-seated concern. Caeloria was a foreign land, blighted and scarred, bearing the marks of a darkness that had threatened to consume them all. Their king now resided in that tainted realm, alongside a Vaelorin, a scion of a kingdom often viewed with a mixture of respect and wary distance. The thought of Kaelen, the wild heart of Ulvaren, bound to a land still steeped in shadow and a ruler from a different world, stirred a protective unease within his former kingdom.
Lord Bran Stoneclaw, Kaelen's most trusted advisor and now the acting regent of Ulvaren in his absence, received the news with a stoic nod. A seasoned warrior and a shrewd strategist, Bran understood the necessity of Kaelen's actions during the war and the potential benefits of a stable Caeloria for the entire Concord. However, he also felt the weight of responsibility for Ulvaren, ensuring its continued strength and independence while its lord ruled elsewhere.
Bran convened a council of the Bloodhowl Clan's most influential leaders – the chieftains of the major warbands, the elder lore-keepers, and the heads of the prominent hunting packs. The discussions were frank and impassioned. Some voiced concerns about Kaelen's prolonged absence, fearing that Ulvaren might be relegated to a secondary position within the new political landscape. They spoke of the ancient traditions of the Bloodhowl Clan, their fierce independence, and the potential for Caelorian interests to diverge from their own.
Others, however, argued for unwavering support. They recognized the strength of the bond between Kaelen and Elara, a connection forged in the crucible of war. They saw the potential for a lasting peace and a stronger alliance between their kingdoms, united by their shared victory over the Shadow Queen and the wisdom of their joint rulers. They spoke of the honor Kaelen had brought to Ulvaren and the opportunity for a new era of cooperation.
Bran, listening intently to all sides, adopted a stance of cautious observation. He dispatched a delegation to Caeloria, led by his own son, a skilled warrior and diplomat named Torvin Stoneclaw (not the impulsive warrior from the Silverwood incident). Torvin's mission was to convey Ulvaren's pride and offer their support to Kaelen and Elara, but also to assess the situation firsthand, to understand the challenges they faced in rebuilding Caeloria, and to gauge the long-term implications for Ulvaren's relationship with the new kingdom.
The common folk of Ulvaren held a more visceral reaction. They remembered Kaelen's fierce leadership, his unwavering protection of their lands. They trusted his judgment, even if they didn't fully understand the intricacies of his new role. There was a sense of pride that one of their own now wore a crown, but also a yearning for his return, for the familiar sight of the Lord of the Bloodhowl Clan leading their hunts and defending their borders.
Small tokens of support began to make their way south – sturdy Ulvaren timber for rebuilding, skilled trackers to aid in clearing the blighted lands, and heartfelt messages of loyalty and hope. But alongside these gestures of solidarity were also whispers of concern, anxious inquiries about their king's well-being in the haunted lands of Morrathiel.
Bran maintained regular communication with Kaelen, their exchanges a careful balance of political updates, strategic discussions, and personal concern. Kaelen assured Bran of his unwavering loyalty to Ulvaren and his commitment to ensuring its continued strength within the Concord. He spoke of Elara's wisdom and her genuine desire to heal Caeloria, emphasizing the potential for a strong alliance between their kingdoms.
Ulvaren's stance remained watchful, a complex interplay of pride and caution. They offered their support to Caeloria, recognizing the importance of its stability for the wider Concord. They trusted Kaelen's judgment, acknowledging the strength of his bond with Elara. But their fierce independence and their deep-rooted loyalty to their own kingdom meant that they would observe Caeloria's progress with a keen eye, ready to adapt to any shifts in the political landscape and always prioritizing the well-being of the Bloodhowl Clan. The howls that echoed through the Ulvaren peaks now carried a new note, a blend of pride for their king's ascension and a watchful anticipation for the dawn of Caeloria and its impact on their own untamed realm. Their loyalty was steadfast, but their gaze remained fixed on the horizon, ever vigilant.