Sawtooth Spire Minuet

wintersbane said all that needed utterance; mahler was content. her youth had made her too hopeful, and he watched as the woman began her travel back to the vale. lilac stare flicked flatly to her companions, if they had not yet turned away. mahler had no words and no welcome for them. he and his brother had presented a united front of iron to the newcomers, and he suspected it would keep the empress' well-wishes far away.
he said nothing when they had all drifted toward the vale, only stepped forward to brush his shoulder against that of the blue-black warrior in a quiet show of affection and empathy. such loss affected them all, though wintersbane's heart seemed to have been truly broken.