thank the gandy dancers for a path well worn

Malachi grew rigid at the mention of Larus' name, and soon his whole body tilted toward Caiaphas, ears alert and eyes wide at her revelation that Larus was alive. A flame of fire scorched his veins from the tip of his tail to the back of his throat. Her undertones fell on deaf ears, or simply ones that refused to drop the matter until he saw the boy back in the embrace of Tuwawi and Njal, and back at Maera's side.

The boy's words came quiet, rushed, and his body refused to loosen from rigidity. Even his tail lay still, as though the night air had frozen him through. "Please, you must take me to him." However far he had to travel, he would go just to see the boy returned - and to see the light grow in the Sveijarn's darkened eyes when they laid their weary gaze upon their youngest son.