The fact that Althea couldn't bring herself to say "I told you so," when the Kossith began taking witches, the Student - and no one at the Tower - could say they were surprised. Telling the world that she was right wouldn't change the horror of their present reality, and wishing that things were different wouldn't change the road ahead. If Haven wanted the best general, they'd find one. They followed Aurea because she was one of them and if she could fight these creatures than so could they.

Naturally, Althea had been in Caer Glas Keep at the time but circumstances brought her home, brought her back to Haven. She'd taken this post as an escape, running from her own insecurities, emissary to an alpha who wanted nothing but blood. War. A small minded, but powerful fool. When Aurea challenged him the Student assumed that the young woman would be like those who'd come before her. Maybe it was that Aurea held a stubbornness that Althea had lacked back then, but she was the woman she was today because she'd watched Aurea beat Erik into the ground and took the throne for herself.

"You've toppled beasts before, we've battled the Blight and won. These cretins scratching at our walls are warmongers of the most savage kind. We will fight them because we must," a beat, "on your terms, not theirs." It wasn't quite hello, how are you? But it said a different message, one that Althea had relayed time and time again to her friend, her sister. I will never leave you.