Ocean's Breath Plateau Out on the mira

The infection was localized, but he still burned with it as he healed. His body, ravaged by injury and malnutrition, could do little but sleep and recover now that the powerful drive to reach home had subsided. It was the only thing that had fueled him for months, by then, and real food was only just beginning to take its place.

Still, he woke when he sensed her nearby. Beside the fever, there burned another fire, and it was his love for Simbelmyne.

"Myna," he breathed as his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, only his tail moved, weakly beating the ground in relief and supplication. She looked unwell, but how could he blame her? She was still every bit as beautiful as he remembered, and that was more than he could say of himself.

Katmai lay tucked under his throat. For a moment, Dutch appeared almost protective of the boy, as if Simbelmyne might somehow pose a danger to the half-grown pup. But then he lifted his head to reveal the damage to their sleeping son's ear, and it was clear that it was only shame that'd given him pause. Katmai had come to harm under his watch.

"I came as fast as I was able," he told her, his eyes — one clouded — searching her face. He was full of the knowledge that he had failed her and their children. He was angry with himself, and could not imagine she was without any anger of her own. He almost hoped for her ire; it would be punishment well-deserved. Yet, he wanted her to know that this had not been his choice. That he had been striving all this time to reach her once more, and return their son into her loving arms.

But not fast enough.