Shimmering Sands [m] Hosts of the Air

He saw a body moving ahead of him, too large to be his young daughter. For a moment, it seemed likely this was her kidnapper, but Dutch knew him as soon as he drew close enough to draw in his scent. Relief filled him, though not as strongly as it would have had Raiyuk's father been among them. Still — it was always good to have a seal hunter on your side.

The young man was faster than him. Dutch lagged behind, to his great shame, and the chase had ended by the time he caught up. Breathing deeply, the panther closed in. His eyes were only for his daughter, but he touched his nose briefly to Raiyuk's shoulder as he passed — a wordless thank you, as he could only imagine the young man was here to help. He trusted without asking that Raiyuk would watch over them while he calmed his daughter and assessed her condition.

"I am here, bachchi," he murmured to her, hoping that the term of endearment would be familiar to her even if his voice and his scent still were not. "Where are you hurt?" he asked.