Dragoncrest Cliffs maybe spit some blood at the camera, just stay alive

Throughout the arrival of others, Ephraim stayed still and silent. Most who came seemed, like him, to be in a state of shock. Vercingetorix voiced his grief and the young coywolf's heart went out to the Cheka. Some things couldn't be defended by force. As the rest of the pack filed in and Blixen began preparing herself to address them, Ephraim steeled himself.

The only thing he wanted Blixen to say was that this was some big misunderstanding, but it wasn't. He knew Blixen was Antumbra's kid, although he didn't know the details of it. She wouldn't lie about her mother dying. Still, even as she said the words, he fervently wished it wasn't true. What disarray did it leave the wolves of Drageda in, with enemies on their doorstep and their incorrigible leader gone?

He wanted to believe Blixen could lead them as well as Antumbra, but he'd put the commander on such a high pedestal since accompanying her to Trigeda, it was hard to imagine anyone adequately taking her place.