Ankyra Sound oh wow, you look like the fourth of july

Once the command is issued, she does not give either girl a second look. Her attention remains solely on Artaax, one ear pivoted back as she listens for the retreating footsteps, as he appears smaller and smaller by each passing second. It isn’t until he’s certain Blixen and Furi are gone that she takes a step forward.

“They made their decision when they left,” she says, her voice a surprising softness. “You did what you were supposed to do. It is not your fault they did not listen.” Maybe, if she hadn’t left, they wouldn’t have either, but who would she be if she did not listen to her duty? She is bound to the wolves she leads. Wildfire knew this and all the sacrifices she made. She spent seasons without the commanders talking to her, visiting her in dreams, that she could not sacrifice it when they really needed her.

Antumbra stiffens a little, not liking where the thoughts are going, but she straightens it out and closes the distance between them. Somehow, knowing where Wildfire is eases some of the pain. She has no interest in going after her, hunting or down or trying to win her back, but she is safer there. From Drageda. From her own teeth.

Gently, she puts her nose against his crown in all the invitation she gives to allow him to grieve how he needs and, softly, “ai hod yu in.”