Firefly Glen spring in your step

Without being confrontational, Cypess intently watched the play of emotions over the older male’s face. His first incredulous words did not require an answer from the raven, whose scarred muzzle dipped a little lower with the weight of his grief. Very briefly, his sulphureous eyes flicked up to meet Charon’s cobalt ones, but his ears flattened like a mantling crow’s wings and his tall carriage was held low with respect. “Who are you?” he asked, his quiet baritenor hollowed out with sorrow. “My mother had four cubs, but only my brother and I survived. It was the famine that weakened her. She…she didn’t have any daughters.” It was odd, talking about Eshe like another wolf entirely, but it was the only way Cypress was going to get through the conversation without losing his composure entirely.

Swiftly, Cypress put two and two together. Alya had not known what brothers were, which meant she came from a litter of only sisters. Coincidentally, this wolf had mentioned his daughters specifically. “My littermate Rannoch and our cousin Rian — we left Neverwinter Forest together after I challenged Ondine for leadership and…and lost.” The words tasted bitter on his tongue, and he spoke almost feverishly now: “You knew my mother, so you know nobody could ever stand where she stood — someday I’ll go back and I’ll drive Ondine out.” It was a secret wish that he hadn’t spoken of even to the three wolves he entrusted with his life, but here he was, telling a complete stranger.

On that note, “Are you Alya’n Lyra’s paw?” he asked.