Stone Circle No time

Tauris gives him a task, but it means leaving behind Gunnar when he looked so tired, frail and weak. He hesitated, especially when Astrid arrived as like any other who loved the man, it tore his heart into pieces to stray far from his side. He whined softly, and reached to brush his chin across Astrid's shoulders, gently nudging her toward her father. 

His eyes welled. He looked upon Gunnar and felt his cheeks burn hot. What if it was the last time he ever saw him again? He nodded silently to Tauris and wiped his muzzle against his shoudler to clear his vision. He stooped forward to kiss Gunnar's cheek, holding his breath and holding back the thousands of words he wanted to say, knowing that if he didn't go now, none of them might get to tell Gunnar just how much he was loved. 

He hesitated only long enough to see if Astrid would accompany him, or if she would choose to stay. Then he would make a beeline for the borders, and head immediately toward Riverclan.