Arrow Lake fall down a rabbit hole

mahler did not know the extent of what had transpired between ketzia and his kill-brother, nor did he wish to know, for the details did not concern him.
but stigmata had mistreated them both, in mahler’s opinion. proud takiyok would not have considered bearing the ironstar’s young had stigmata planned to divert resources from the fiery quartet to another litter of pups. diaspora was, therefore, compromised in its ability to aptly provide, outnumbered as the adults were to the little ones.
the gargoyle refused to disparage stigmata aloud, for a great undercurrent of respect for the ambitious man ran deep and lastingly within his heart, but ketzia’s fears were not invalid.
”your children are no less important than those born to takiyok,” he murmured, ”and it is known. allow me to speak vith her. i am certain she vas ... caught off guard,” mahler finished, for surely stigmata had not consulted the winterwhite about his lust for the delicate jewel.
on a whim mahler reached to ketzia again, wishing to soothe the hurt of spurned love he did not understand, and finding in himself a comfort in contact with another.