Ankyra Sound There are times that walk from you like some passing afternoon

Ephraim flinched when Raleska lurched toward the grotto in anticipation of being flogged, but she simply pushed past him and descended into the darkness. No! screamed his mind as he stumbled after her, halfheartedly reaching as if to grab her scruff, only to fall back before he could close his jaws. No, please!

Raleska didn't need to see this. She didn't need to know what a monster her long lost brother was. Of course, she'd already drawn that conclusion already from his association with Drageda, but somehow this would solidify it. This was irrevokable, and yet he was powerless to stop her. He couldn't have touched her if he tried; he was too afraid of her.

He lurked in the shadow of the corridor with his tall ears pressed so close to his head, they seemed to be entirely gone. He watched Raleska realizing who that body belonged to, heard her choked sob, mirrored it with his own... Futilely, he made a weak attempt to reiterate, she was sick she was dying I only wanted to help her...

But then Raleska's light dimmed and she slipped into unconsciousness. Ephraim faltered for a long time, fidgeting tearfully in the dark, before stepping silently over to where his sister lay. It felt weird to think of her that way. It felt weird to associate her with him, as if they weren't worlds apart. Reconnecting enough to call her that seemed impossible. It was impossible, he thought, especially now. Before, her forgiveness was extremely unlikely, but maybe if he played his cards just so, they could have found a way. Now, there was no way she would ever forgive him.

He bent to press his nose apologetically against her face, then turned and fled back up the tunnel. It occurred to him that he should put as much distance between himself and Ankyra Sound as possible, because it was very likely when she came to, Raleska would hunt him... but Ephraim collapsed in the waterlogged sand when he exited the grotto and could only lay there, sobbing wretchedly into his thin arms.

He would not leave. He would not run away from this. Much of his life was spent running away, coward that he was, but this... if Raleska came for him then so be it. She would find him in the Sound still, refusing to leave his mother's body even with the threat of imminent death hanging over him.

MURDERER!

He deserved it all, come what may.