Caiaphas' kingdom had crumbled away without the sea witch at it's helm. Kjalarr had done the best he could but he could not force them to stay and slowly but surely Saltwinter had fallen away to nothing. The small rag-tag band did not live to see another winter. If he would have known what he knew now he would not have mated with Ondine. He was the fatal flaw in allowing himself to take her, to believe that Saltwinter would survive. In truth, he hadn't thought of Saltwinter at all. Only as an afterthought had it dawned upon him that they did not have the numbers to support children. Yet as neither of them had restrained themselves during her estrus cycle he had to assume that she was. Obviously, she was not infertile and he doubted that he was. Kjalarr had not wanted to linger in the remains of what was once was. Rousing Ondine from her sleep he led the way south west, remembering what his aunt Kaskara had once expressed to him: that he would always be welcome at Neverwinter Forest.

Kjalarr did not know if that offer still stood. He did not know if they would take Ondine and the children he assumed she was carrying. If they refused then ...he would find somewhere else. Scimitar was the only wolf he would willingly bow to. He'd had the taste of power for too long to be able to shed it as if it were a coat he could shrug off and forget about. Yet, he had made a promise to Ondine. He had vowed that he would not abandon her or his children.

The Gods gave with one hand and took with the other.

Kjalarr inhaled deeply as he approached the borders, gesturing silently with his muzzle for Ondine to join him at his side. The last time he'd been at these borders was to deliver bad news and he supposed that the trend was continuing now. It was a lot to ask of the Frostfurs but he knew he had to try. For the sake of his children. He sent up a howl for @Scimitar hoping that his adopted father would respond.

Ondine was quiet during their journey and though this mildly concerned Kjalarr — for he had yet to come across her being quiet — he did not push. It was upsetting to leave behind the Sound, to realize his defeat and failure and move on from it. It certainly wasn't easy and it wounded his pride greater than he cared to admit, but he could not stop a sinking ship and he had sunk down with it to the deepest trenches of the ocean floor. Yet, they survived despite that Saltwinter had not. His promise to Ondine and their unborn children kept him going, did not allow him to wallow in self pity. He knew what he needed to do. He spared a glimpse at Ondine, offering her a gentle bump of his shoulder against her's before a figure appeared. It was not Scimitar, but instead his sister Allure. She greeted him by the only name that she knew him by and now did not seem like the time to correct her. He returned the nudge she offered him. “Allure, this is my mate Ondine,” It felt strange to address her as such but he had no choice. His sense of duty would not allow him anything else. One day, perhaps, he would grow to love her as Ragnar had loved Thistle. “Ondine, this is my sister Allure,” He made the introductions before he turned to her inquiry.

He'd been a lot better, admittedly. “I've been better, Allure,” He admitted to her, inhaling deeply and letting it out slowly. “How are you?” He inquired softly, genuinely curious as to how she fared. She looked well, at least. “Saltwinter is no more and Ondine is with child,” He admitted, feeling guilt rise within his chest. “I know it is a lot to ask and not one that I ask lightly, but I was hoping that father might take us in so we have a home to raise our family.” Which made him realize that still, Scimitar had yet to appear. His brow furrowed and his glimpsed down at his sister. “Is he around?” He inquired quietly.

Kjalarr accepted the congratulations with a grateful nod of his head and was content to leave it at that. His ears slicked back to rest atop his skull at half mast when Allure informed him that Scimitar wasn't home presently but there was little to be done about it. “I hope he finds Rannoch and the other missing pup and returns soon.” Kjalarr offered sincerely. When Lusca and her children had disappeared from Saltwinter none had went looking for her or her offspring. Then again the children were family and family was a different matter entirely. Ondine mentioned to him of Maude and her telling that his father was dead. The Viking's gaze drifted from his sister to his mate to explain. “It is a long story to tell but my biological father, Ragnar, is dead. Scimitar adopted me when I was just a small boy. He is my father in every way that counts.” The only thing that Scimitar could not claim was blood and did that really matter? Not to Kjalarr and he hoped not to the Frostfur's either.

“We will make it work,” Kjalarr agreed in quiet agreement. Regardless of what ends justified: “making it work”. It was hard to tell for sure whether Ondine was truly pregnant or not — but Kjalarr had wanted to be upfront with Allure about the very real possibility that she was and it was easier to claim that she was, indeed, then it was to say that it might have been a possibility but maybe not. “Thank you Allure. Truly.” He breathed to his sister, his relief visible upon his face as his tail gave a few wags behind him. He invited Ondine to go first with a gesture of his muzzle, content to bring up the rear of the party.