Duskfire Glacier moth to a flame

Weariness had a relentless grip on Tzila as of late. First the struggles with controlling the violent tendencies of her daughter, and now Wintersbane's fragile condition. Ever since that terrible day, she was anywhere but close to the borders, as if having put her role aside. Instead, she stayed by her husbands side, day and night.

The only time when she begrudgingly pried herself away was to hunt, attend to personal business or spend some time with her sons. It was touch and go each day. She never knew if she would awake to find him alive with each new morning. Her patience with Makatza during this time was dangerously thin. The slightest wrong move on her daughters part would render a snapping of teeth or a hard, disciplinary muzzle grab. Tzila was once again, teetering on the edge between light and dark.

She heard Meerkat's howl, summoning the Glacier wolves together. She lifted her head up from where it had been draped over the slouched shoulders over her unmoving husband. For hours on end, she had lain like this with him. Curled around his form protectively, hopeful that on some level, her presence would be felt and soothed. She almost laid her head back down, but forced herself to rise. This was important, and she respected Meerkat. Reminding herself that she was not alone during these trials, she set out. Waiting for her were Meerkat, Issorartuyok and Lane. Seeing them affirmed that she had allies here. Friends, with whom she could rely and depend on. She slipped up to Lane, completely ignoring her less than presentable appearance and horrendous smell, and nuzzled into her shoulder, as if to share her grief.