Emberwood the black hills, the bad lands, the calloused east

last from me!

two more boys followed the first, doubling and then tripling the shaktis' joy. cortez was so utterly spent from happiness and worry that he almost didn't notice the approach of the gray man. only the change of atmosphere, the added tension, drew his attention, and he lifted his head, a snarl bubbling in his throat.

brother, all is well, olive said, and he believed her. . .but still. the guy was too close, much too close to his sister and nephews. he rose to his paws, a little shaky, moving to stand protectively over the quartet and staring at stigmata, his gaze questioning.

should we send him to elysium, so he can give them the news? he asked olive, though not ripping his eyes from the stranger (to him, anyway). they'll be worried about us, olive. worried about you, i should say. should let them know everything's okay.

and he sure as hell wasn't going and leaving his sister to this random man. no matter how well she knew him. no matter how good his intentions were.

cortez had just entered hell and then walked right out into heaven. he wasn't in a mood to be tested.