Silvertip Mountain Crippled Beyond Repair

Ezekiel was going to ask why Chaska had gone after the boy's father, but the older male explained quickly. Revenge. Justice, they had never been differentiated to Ezekiel. Both ended in blood and were spurred by resentment in one way or another. Zeke knew vengeance too. He was silent, allowing Chaska a moment to recompose himself. Then Chaska asked a question. A reasonable question that Zeke had asked himself many times. No. You did what you felt you had to, you followed your heart. It lead you to something awful, and you returned heartbroken. But that only proves that you have more heart than many. Some don't even feel remorse for their actions, some hide the guilt and do nothing to make up for it. Others let it eat away at them until it kills them.

Ezekiel had let his guilt eat away at himself for too long. But coming to this pack had helped him. He wouldn't let Chaska feel the same self loathing he had for some time. He would help this. You acknowledged what you did, you admit it. Even I couldn't do that. You are brave, kind and that's what makes you a good pack mate. All you have to do is get past what you did, and realize we all only care about who you are, not what you did. He didn't smile, for a smile was a trivial thing when talking about death. He knew happy smiles wasn't going to help Chaska get over his issues. He wanted to let Chaska know that he was completely serious in what he said.