Swiftcurrent Creek In Sickness or in Health(IC Joining)

Fox reacted as Bazi had guessed she would. Their leader was fair and fun (when you had earned the right to see that side of her), but there was a sharp and unforgiving edge to her that surfaced in situations that affected 'the pack'. Bazi had seen it at the borders, and again after the coyote encounter - there was a businesslike ruthlessness to her commands, and it showed now.

Bazi took a few steps away from Ferdie and the pup, but the glassy look to her eyes betrayed her pity. It was sickly, and small, and would require a lot of care and attention to bring up to scratch. The blindness was unfortunate in someone so young, and they were due a healthy batch from Tuwawi in a matter of months that were more worthy of Ferdie's babysitting skills.

Bazi thought of Björn and his merciful execution of the cougar cub in Ravensblood Forest. Ritualistic babble aside, it had been the right thing to do. If this little whelp were to die today, at least it would not be under some pretense that it would live on in a gilded hall of heroes.