Dragoncrest Cliffs watch the masses fall

how many graves had he dug?

too many, given his young age.

that potent cocktail of grief and anger overwhelmed lafayette as he nodded toward sobeille, then began to churn at the ground with his forepaws. his teeth were gritted, tears streaming silently down his face. dirt and mud flew, spattering his legs and chest.

all the while, he could not help but think of those oft-whispered words, usually given to those who would depart—

sapphique will see you thrive.

this was thriving?! 

the hole was hock-high, and growing deeper, wider;

sapphique will see you thrive.

thrive, perhaps, as food for worms and bones in the earth—or else left behind, trapped in grief, half-empty—

sapphique will see you thrive.

lafayette's paws were bloodied, nail beds damaged. with a sobbing inhale, he withdrew from the grave and began to pace, limping slightly, wishing that the sea had taken him all those moons ago so that he did not 

have to

feel this pain