Nova Peak As my memory rests, but never forgets what I lost.

mahler wished terribly he could take several things out of the past, that as the dawnlight came to bathe the peak in soft hues, he would wake. that this was only a dream. that nyx had not gathered their daughters and prepared to leave.
the lioness was cool to him as he met she and they upon the foothills. mahler kept his gaze from lingering, fought the inclination to reach toward her.
instead he grinned toward ciri, nudging her with a press of his nose, and chuffing to elke. for their sake he would keep his spirits arisen — for their sake, the gargoyle would ignore the sting of thorns girdling his spirit. "ve vill see so many things on our journey," he told them softly, lavender eyes moving between his beloved pair of cubs. 
but only he would return after it, and mahler knew not how to speak the word.