Arrow Lake the caretaker

his kill-brother had been gone for some time; mahler had buffed the traces of his scent where it could be found, but for the last handful of days, diaspora had been effectively governed by himself and takiyok. the dirge that rose above the silent trees roused mahler from a fitful sleep, and he did not pause to unfurl himself and move in its direction.
dour, subdued, stigmata stalked through the territory as if he were a slinking stone-cat, the sight of him at once both awesome and a relief. mahler did not chuff an affable greeting, nor pause to be recognized; he swung at once to the ironstar's side, matching his gait to that of stigmata in silence.