The Sentinels all hope in eclipse

ermahgerd I'm so far behind guys but I have to.  If this starts moving he can be shoved to the back ^^;

Dante was returned from yet another unsuccessful trip, and it was with a heavy heart and weary steps he traced his way homeward.  Hardship lined them all, an there was an unhealthy wastedness to him that his thick fur could no longer hide.  As soon as he returned home, he would force cheer back to his features, fatherhood both requiring and inspiring that reaction.  But now, with no eyes but the trees on him, his walk showed nothing but defeat.

When he spotted the collapsed form against the sand, his first thought was hope.  Food, at last! And enough to feed many.  But as he drew closer, and recognized his fallen leader, hope turned to horror.

He broke into a lurching gallop, favoring the hip his encounter with the bear still bore pain from, and pressed his muzzle against Lasher's ruff.  There was breath, but it was faint, and no response.

He had seen death take many - dear friends, family, it did not discriminate.  Some by his own doing.  But this was different... he felt the icy shard of guilt sink in.  His negligence in these past few weeks, the selfish stepping down and isolation in his own family, meant he had failed to note or care about the burden laid on Lasher.  Neither of them were young.  He should have been there, but was not.

At a loss for anything else to do, Dante sent up a desperate call for help.  He was incapable of doing so himself.