Ankyra Sound VIII. Standing in the back door crying, now you're going to need a friend.

He didn't really have a reason to be here. Once upon a time, he had lived here, though. Once upon a time, he might have made a life with a girl he respected. But those "once upon a time" tales didn't always end merrily and happily like they were supposed to. He had told Arbiter that he was going to go scouting for new recruits. That wasn't a lie. Legion was oh-so-close to being strong enough to really stake their claim, and Kaertok wanted that to happen so Arbiter would get what she wanted. And really, he wanted it, too. Their children would be safer and stronger under their rule instead of somebody else's.

He was mulling these things when he heard the call.

Thinking it might be an opportunity for him (and Legion), he galloped toward it with all the speed he could muster, although he'd been quite a distance away from it. Eventually, he found himself hearing a conversation that sounded much more tragic than he had expected. This white wolf, whoever he was, wanted to let the injured one die. Kaertok was often a "survival of the fittest" type, and in so many other cases, he would have agreed. In fact, he opened his mouth to say just that when he realized there was something sickeningly familiar about the mother's scent.

Raleska.

He hadn't even known... Was this... Had she been... Last time he saw her...

The Tartok's eyes shot toward the two others, assuming one of them had been the one to call. I know her. What can I do to help?