Blackfeather Woods continuity

When his plan for the upcoming battle was revealed, he wasn’t the least bit surprised. Of the trio, it was Damien who had always fought, not Cicero, after all; Potema was capable as well, to a certain extent, but neither compared to Meldresi’s eldest son. He gave a slow nod of his head but remained silent otherwise, considering his own steps. It was easy to assume that he would fight, as the woods was his home and he, as a guardian, was tasked with protecting it. Yet, he could not ignore the aches in his joints, just as he could not deny the potential hindrance that they posed on him in battle. It was a troubling predicament, getting old.

“Perhaps I will join you,” he mused. “My body isn’t what it used to be.” It was his first time mentioning it out loud and to another wolf; Kove didn’t want to be looked at as if he was a weak link, nor did he have any desire to be looked after. Because although he was aging he still possessed the pride of his youth—it was a curse that seemed to plague the Apaata line—and to be considered less than what he was just didn’t settle well within him. But he trusted Cicero with this revelation, more so than anyone else currently around.