Moonspear My baby here on Earth

That was a grizzly grisly way to go. Treepie’s ears swept backward in alarm, though she was relieved when Ludovicus mentioned he hadn’t witnessed it. Her heart sank when he informed her of his brother’s subsequent disappearance. He’d lost his family in one fell swoop, though part of her wondered if Pala and Ignace were alive out there somewhere.

I’m glad she was there for you, Pie said softly, resuming their ascent. I know what it’s like to lose your dearest loved ones. You don’t really get over it, but found family really helps.

She shot him a wan smile, then focused on the last and steepest part of the climb. Eventually, they stood before the den which had housed two families: first, the Sveijarn-Cortens and, later, Pala and her sons. Treepie glanced over the abandoned ulaq and let out a breath, then looked to Ludo and nodded for him to head inside.