Blackfoot Forest Lost behind the fading light

Etienne went further than he had in some time. He followed the river and it had cut it's path. But he had not seen hide nor tail of his nephew. It was as if he just vanished. he thought of his sister's tear stained face. He thought of his nephew stranded and alone. probably scared and sad and he gasped softly as his own heart broke and he stumbled. Paws weak from constant searching. Heart sick and sore and weary. He could not find him. He could not find his nephew. He had found the babies of Druid, at least a few, he had found Anselm when he searched. Etienne always found what he was looking for.

He cried out as his body and his legs simply gave out and he fell forward. Long choking gasping sobs. He wanted to find his nephew. He wanted his family whole. He wanted someone anyone to love him and he could love them too. But he couldn't. His heart was as stubborn as the sea and held tight ot things out of his reach. Things he couldn't have, shouldn't pine for. Again a sob, wrenched from his chest.

He leaned against the nearest tree. Thought of his golden nephew. And he begged and pleaded to any god that would listen to bring him safely home. Anyone. Just to bring the baby home. Etienne was drifting. Too tired and to weary to move on. So he allowed himself a gentle moment of reprieve. Just a moment. Then he'd look again. As his golden eyes shuttered closed, the tear tracks down his masked face.