Dragoncrest Cliffs dominus vobiscum

the beacons had been lit. help had been summoned. now, they would wait.

lafayette padded through the ancient trees, towering so far above him, to stand at the edge of the cliffs. the wind sent his fur flying, like flame disturbed. he remained still, seafoam eyes set on the horizon.

he meant to honor those lost.

cayetano, struck down by a poisonous fish. that face set in rigor mortis would never leave lafayette's mind's eye.

val, of course. his papa. he felt his throat thicken at even the thought of that wolf's absence, and moved on.

pepper—oh, pepper! the tears that had come to his eyes spilled over suddenly, and he bent low, the sobs doubling him over.

his ritual was cut short as he mourned sapphique's latest casualty and feared for their future;

for he could not bear the thought of burying his cousin, auntie or mother in the same way.

his brain did not compute; his heart would not withstand.