Northstar Vale My crystal nails.

Arsenio approached the two women. He had diverted his patrol path to pull prey from a cache – food for his wife. As he drew closer to them, the man offered a weak smile. He placed the leg of meat at Tamar’s paws and cast his gaze into the dark of the den, curious if the boys were sleeping. There wasn’t a peep from within. The father breathed a quiet breath of relief and seated himself beside the other two.

-You said something about the canyon?-

The Arche had not caught all her words. He had only been half-listening, anyway.

Arsenio’s mind was on their firstborn son. His chest had ached with his sadness and disappointment. The gash against the bridge of his muzzle would turn into a pink scar. Another reminder of what they had lost.