Dragoncrest Cliffs do you know where your heart is.

His gaze drifted away from Nomi as she considered his comments, turning back towards the spot where he had best smelled the kit's mother. He didn't know what would be asked of him. In fact, he didn't really think anything would be asked of him. This seemed very much like the part where his responsibility would be done and the Heda's would take over. Artaax should have known better than to expect such from his mother - his commander. Her words sent a prickle along his spine, and he turned to her again with widened eyes.

Kill it?

Artaax gaped at her for a few seconds before glancing at the trembling infant. Were it any other creature, he likely would not have hesitated. Or maybe it would be better to say that were it any other age, he wouldn't. Truth be told, he might have looked upon an infant fawn the same were it sitting so innocently, harmlessly before him. The idea of hurting this creature was... not appalling, but... unsettling. The boy gulped nervously as he stood, torn between two intense emotions. The first to never, ever disobey or displease his Nomi in any way. The other, to not hurt the helpless.

Tears filled his eyes, but he blinked them away before looking at the dark Heda again. "Why? he asked, unable to help himself. He suspected that he was edging far too close to disappointing his mother by the simple act of questioning, but he just couldn't bring himself to act without first understanding why it was necessary. Something instinctive drove him to protect the weak, and the fearful little fox before him was nothing if not the perfect example of this.