Duskfire Glacier pixel empire

Veteran had wanted to come with her to meet the caller, but Lane had made him stay behind with Wayfarer. She didn't want either child to have to be alone for even a second, in the wake of Wintersbane and Tzila's deaths. Also, given that the caller had requested Wintersbane by name, she knew she'd have to break the news. She wanted to spare Veteran from that potentially painful scene. He'd been through enough. 

She trudged out to the border to meet the caller. He had a familiar air about him, but it took Lane a long moment to place him. "..Zephyr?" her sluggish brain finally spat out. "You're..." ..Alive? ..Okay? ..Not in Blackfeather Woods? ..Friends with Wintersbane? 

Lane didn't know which one to pick, so she just left the word hanging. A spark of wonder lit in her previously dull expression.