Tawny and gold he moved through the pack lands. His mind on the matters that Tamar had laid at his feet. Perhaps they were not perfectly where they needed to be, but it was a step in the right direction. Though the thought of having to find
@Arsenio. Well that made his stomach tighten in ways it hadn't since he was a young boy. Tight and sick, nervous and weak.
He stopped to grasp the small goat he had captured and killed with the weird wolf in the mountains. He had carried it across shoulder and hip and brought it here. He would give this to the patriarch of the vale. He finally found it within himself to find a neutral place in the lands, one that was not too near the den of the babies, but close enough that were Tamar to call for him, the Arche could return. Then he lifted his muzzle in questioning howl.
All his time had been spent tucked away with Saleem and Sylianos. They were a source of joy to the redstone man. It still panged him to think that the twins would not meet their older brother. It pained him further to imagine that Antigone might never return to their home. That feeling sat heavily in his stomach and clawed at the inside walls, desperate to break free in a show of anger or pain.
Arsenio did not allow it.
When Reyson’s call sounded, the Arche pushed himself from Tamar’s side and to his paws. He kissed her head and then once on Saleem and Sylianos’ small skulls. As he stepped from their den, he felt the chill of winter had lessened. There was hope for spring and the warmth of summer.
It did not take long for Arsenio to find the soldier. When he did, he nodded his head in greeting to the other man.
How have you been, Reyson?
Reyson had made headway with Tamar, but he doubted very much that he could ever bridge the gap between he and the Arche. Arsenio seemed the type to hold grudges and well. He had no time for it. But he had promised Tamar he would try and he would not allow them to make Meadow feel like shit, because of him.
A small lift of side of face. As good as I could be.
He motioned at the goat meat. I brought for you and your family.
Then he backed away from it. Lady Tamar asked me to seek you out.
As good as I could be.
Hmm,
it sounded like a half-laugh. I know how you feel.
It was as good as it could get, for what had happened, for how soon it had happened to them. The loss of his son hung over his head. The actions of that son also plagued him. Arsenio did not understand why Antigone had turned into such a-
Blue eyes shifted to the meat and a great sadness sank the Arche’s shoulders.
Thank you.
A voice disconnected from the man. It was tired and weary with hurt.
Tamar had sent him to Arsenio. The redstone wolf regarded the soldier with a careful gaze. Had the peacemaker worked her ways with him? Was there a foundation for repair? The former-mercenary would not allow himself to hold a grudge the way he had with Germanicus, the way he had with his own father, too.
Tamar is everything to me, Reyson,
he confessed in earnest. What have you two discussed?
A soft chuckle curled from Reyson's throat. In the moment, he felt a shock of the soldier he had been. Stolen moments of comaderie between he and others of his ilk. But it was fleeting.
Reyson didn't know why Antigone had singled him out, but he had realized that he still had growth to go, but it was still unfair how it had been handled, but as Lady Tamar had asked, he could try and fix it. Maybe.
She apologized. I told her that I could bear the injustices, but I would like an apology for Meadow, it has been her whose been hurt the worst of this whole situation at least on her end and mine. I cannot begin to say of your hurt or grief. Though I have lost a daughter before, but not in the same way. Grief I am aware of.
He did as he had done before, told the Arche all that was said, word for word. Then he waited calmly and quietly. Ears forward, eyes averted, body neutral.