Arrow Lake separate the weak from the obsolete

Had he not been overjoyed at seeing his children, at having them so near, he would have thrown Mahler's stupid offer right back in his stupid face. As it was, Verx merely nodded, businesslike. Will do, he said shortly, and then the man was completely forgotten. He nearly went to his knees, embracing Dragomir, reveling in his son's brave defense of his father.

I love you, little guy, he whispered, voice choked with sudden tears. He looked up at Isi, taking a step back (with Drago, perhaps, still clinging to his leg). C'mon, girly, he said to her, dipping his muzzle away from the lake. Come with daddy. We're gonna go play over here.

Hoping against hope that his daughter would follow--Verx was unsettled by the apprehension on her face--he began to walk away, shooting his son a grin. Before he departed for good, though, he cast Aure a long glance.

We need to talk. He didn't need to say a word for her to read it clearly written over his expression.