Duskfire Glacier dynasties and dystopia

Meerkat didn't have much to report, or maybe she was just reluctant to prattle on about a trip in the midst of so much grieving. Lane was curious to know whether things had become any clearer between the young Redhawk and Issorartuyok in term of their relationship, but this was not the time or place for gossipy inquiries. There would be time enough for that, once the deceased were resting peacefully. 

Ensio leaned into Lane's nudge, and she swiped a few licks behind his ear. She turned to Arius when he begun speaking, and her distress at his words would be evident on her features. "Oh, Arius.." she murmured, brow knitting in concern. What he had seen was probably a grand mal seizure, which was certainly terrifying to witness, but reportedly painless for the patient. Lane made a mental note to explain this to Arius sometime in the future, so he did not carry on indefinitely believing that his father must have died in horrible pain. 

"I'm so sorry." Had Lane messed up? Should she have allowed Arius to be so heavily involved in Wintersbane's care, knowing that his chances at recovery were so dim? Wouldn't it have been worse for the boys, if she had kept them from their father against their wishes? Much to Lane's chagrin, she had found that leadership was similar to motherhood in that there was a never-ending cascade of decisions to make and none of the choices were easy or clear. 

Wintersbane and Tzila had been buried at the site of their death. Their underground den had been filled in with dirt, packed around their interlocking bodies and then built up into a great mound. Lane had taken to placing a stone at the base of the mound each day, it it appeared that others had been placing stones as well, so that a stone circle was forming around the mound. 

"If you think it's appropriate, Arius and Ensio, I would like to hold a graveside ceremony for your parents on the Cold Moon." Three weeks out from the deaths seemed sufficient time to prepare, coordinate, and allow mourners the space to grieve privately. "At the ceremony, anyone who wishes to do so will be allowed the space to speak, and we will sing together as a pack. After the ceremony, we have been invited to the Moonglow camp for a reception. Moonglow wishes to honor our fallen leaders with a night of food, death songs, and storytelling in the Northern tradition." 

Lane did not mean to overwhelm the boys, but she thought it important that they have some say in the planning of their parents' funerals. "What do you all think of this?" She waited to hear if they would approve the plan, or if they had any additional suggestions. It was also important for Meerkat to hear these plans, as she had always taken a keen interest in event-planning. Perhaps Meerkat could coordinate with Moonglow in planning the reception-- it would be the ideal fusion of her coaching and ambassador trades.