Big Salmon Lake Even if it's a lie, say it will be alright, and I shall believe

While familiar ground fell away under his paws, Dragomir slipped into his thoughts. He was only instinctively aware of his surroundings as miles passed beneath his feet, and while nothing he thought about was really all that important, in what felt like no time at all, he found his way barred by a lake. Lifting his head, the man pensively licked his pink nose and realized that this wasn't just any lake.

He hadn't thought about his father in some time. It wasn't that he'd banished Vercingetorix from his mind; more like life had simply got away with him, and it had been a blessing. He felt something heavy and unwelcome plummet into the pit of his stomach as he looked at the still surface of the lake with ice gathered in thin sheets around the shores, an early suggestion that winter was just around the corner. His father's body was long gone, no doubt consumed by scavengers until only his bones remained. Those were most likely at the bottom of the lake now.

Dragomir gave his head a little shake, grimacing. He didn't much like thinking about it. He stooped as if to drink, but couldn't bring himself to touch his tongue to the surface. After several seconds of considering, he straightened with a heavy sigh. No way.