Herbalists' Cache perjury and defamation

Even though he was sort of glad not to have run into his father, Valiant couldn't help but feel guilty and melancholic as he began plodding back toward the willows. Truth be told, he would much rather spend time with Alejandro — or even daydreaming about him! — than face cold, unpleasant reality: A father that didn't remember him. A family that expected more from him.

So he couldn't decide if he was glad for the interruption, or irritated at his self-imposed loneliness being broken when a bark attracted his attention. It was a male voice — Oh no! — so Valiant was ready to be surly and unimpressed, just in case lightning decided to strike twice.

He really, really hoped this wasn't going to be a habit or something.

"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice a little more gruff than usual as he turned to face the stranger.