word had come of moonspear and the great calamity. he could not speak to the rumour, but perhaps in his stomach died the last hope for elke. still, he must go. suspecting it was not a good time to depart rivenwood, all the same he knew he would do it. preparations, silently. 
like phaedra, astraeus melded to the edges of the pack, but the gargoyle was simply relieved to have them both home and remaining. he sought out each where he could, desperately trying not to notice how willowy and aloof his pearlflower had become, how hardbit astraeus, both tall, and both speaking his tongue.
it was with the former's mother kept in his head that mahler lifted his head sharply to listen. a young howl, and one he knew. the lilac stare shifted at once; his heavy limbs darted in that direction, heading through the thawing land into the greencrept borderlands, and there he found the prodigal thade, no less beloved. tall, with a solemn look to him. mahler was struck by how very much he resembled wylla. 
father moving to stand before son, scarred muzzle beset by relief. "vhat have you learned on your travels, thade?"