he and the willow had searched, but osprey they had not found. exhausted, and covered in silt and in mud from the day before, the delta roused himself from his fitful sleep, paws carrying him toward the border, as he intended to continue searching. a low note of agony carried skyward, and taltos wrenched himself toward it, heart thudding in his chest. it could not be ...
but alas it was, a small, forlorn bundle of silted bones, unrecognizable except for the characteristic ears of peregrine's daughter. tears filled his eyes; the pain here was palpable, and he glanced toward his lover, toward the devil, to see if he would hold beneath the pain. pura also was given a fleeting look, and the willow.
he did not notice the one called kaskara until she spoke venom-tipped words toward blue willow that forced his ears backward in consternation. slipping forward, lasher regarded the seething girl with pity. now is not the time for this, came his gentle voice. we are all grieving. it is not the right moment for words of blame. he had moved to blue willow's side, and sought to offer her a gentle nuzzle of support, though his attention continued to return to peregrine.