Nova Peak foundling-bird

just a lil cameo

thade’s never quite trusted him the same since he’d found out he wasn’t apart of sagtannet anymore and for that wintersbane respects the boy’s wishes by hanging back — but never out of sight. he understands in a deep seeded way that he wished he didn’t …if because he hated the knowledge that the boy has suffered greatly at the supposed ‘care’ of another. dutifully, the tundrian lags behind, bringing up the rear like a soldier of the rear guard …

he follows until thade crosses the threshold of sagtannet’s claim; into where wintersbane could not follow. he lingers back, in the shade and prickly needles of the evergreens, no longer able to see the boy. the cry out of his name draws the stiffness of his muscles but he forces them to relax a breadth later. he is home and he is safe.

there’s a pang in wintersbane’s chest as he knows this means their time spent together has ended; it’s bittersweet upon his tongue and digs at his chest like an ache that refuses to be soothed despite that wintersbane knows he should be happy that the boy has been ( presumably ) reunited with his parents.

he’s done what he promised thade he would do and there is no need to linger, knowing he is not welcome. good luck, thade. he knows the boy will not hear the low rasping murmur of goodbye but he utters it all the same seconds before he turns and shrugs into the trees, back the way they came.