Blacktail Deer Plateau And the two of us went up in smoke

dante's question went unanswered for a moment as lasher gathered his thoughts, and with effort he turned toward the man. "all is well here. i have not seen harlyn or shar-kali, but neither have i found their bodies." there was a perceptible tremble to his lips that perhaps the silver man could see, but taltos breathed a sigh and began in as straightforward a manner as he could muster.

"i followed a herd of deer into the valley, and came across peregrine in the shared lands. he told me that junior had come to him and gained entry into the caldera by deception and tried to kill one of his new brood. he slaughtered her, as did his wolves, i believe."

his jaw tensed and he was forced to look aside, but a single tear escaped his control.