Whitefish River daddy's always on the move

Her words utterly broke his heart, and he shook his head, blinking back the tears that came quicker than he could have imagined. No, Isi, he murmured, touching his muzzle to the top of her head, giving her an affectionate lick on the ear. You don't need to be better. You've done everything -- everything -- right. All of this is on me and your mom to fix.

The -- the fuckers?! He snorted a little, taken aback. When had he. . .oh. On the mountain, yeah. Goddamn it, Verx. He had forgotten that children were basically sponges.

I will, Vercingetorix said gravely, nodding. At her request, he smiled, shifting his paws. How old had he been when he'd started his mercenary training? Younger than Isi, surely. . .but then again, Trigeda had been a much more militaristic culture than those in which his daughter had been raised. But it was time. She, and Dragomir, needed to be able to defend themselves.

He wouldn't be here forever. Only death could take him from them now, sure. . .but death was inevitable.

You should know how to fight, he said, giving her a look-over as he mulled how to proceed. Which style would be best for his tall, lithe daughter? They're not just gonna go away by yelling at them, unfortunately, Verx added, grinning.