Larksong Grotto taken away to the dark side

For @Pasha first, and then @Wyn

Scimitar's strides had led him over the border -- but not without four little paws right behind him. He normally would have growled at the boy, ushering him back to the rendezvous site and lecturing him that travel was far too dangerous.

Instead, he lectured the cub about the dangers of the world, and told him that he was to never pass the borders until he was much older -- or, unless he was accompanied with an adult.

Pasha slowed him, but the trip was enjoyable. It was rare he got one on one time with his pups, and he made to point out the small things to Pasha as they went along -- the song of the birds above, and the stretch of plains before them. Coming upon the grotto (as far as the regal would take his son for now), he stopped to encourage the boy to smell around the area. "What do you smell, Pasha?" His tone was gentler than normal, his eyes fast upon the boy -- waiting for an answer. Soon, the pups would begin attending the packs hunts, and the thought tightened his chest in apprehension. They still seemed so little.