The Sentinels cemetery and sundown

blue willow had disappeared. the famine continued. his own health was failing, and though his ranks were filled, lasher despaired of donnelaith's continued existence. it was easy, too easy, to fall into contemplation of every failure he had undergone thus far.

peregrine's presence was a small sliver of silver; lasher trekked through the bare wood after a brief moment of grooming that did nothing for his tired visage. "@Peregrine," the druid murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips as he emerged into the small clearing occupied by the medic-den as well as the pack's two healers.

It didn't sit right with him, now that he was more or less back in order: staying in another pack's territory went against his nature. Although he still felt weak, Peregrine intended to disembark just as soon as he saw Lasher. This ended up taking a few days, which greatly benefited the Alpha (reluctant as he was to admit it). But by the time the pack's leader came looking for him, the swarthy wolf was getting antsy and thinking of leaving without saying goodbye.

Fortunately, Lasher arrived before Peregrine bolted. At the sound of his name, the Redhawk pivoted and offered a small, tired smile to the man who had opened his heart and home to him. "Taltos." He licked his lips, jade eyes resting softly on Lasher's face. He was tired, thin and ill at ease. But who wasn't these days? "I was just getting ready to leave," he admitted a little sheepishly, "but I wanted to thank you and your wolves before I went."

lasher coughed, a rattling, harsh sound that clenched his body and pained his lungs. the bout of hacking subsided slowly; when it passed, the donnelaith-man had settled to the earth, and blinked up at peregrine weakly. "it will be good for you to return unto the caldera," the druid murmured gently.

the thought of the panther's departure unsettled lasher for reasons he did not understand -- he thought of his dreams and the tension he had experienced when the man set off for the unexplored wilderness. a wild and terrible thought came to him then, but lasher thrust it aside firmly.

"let me walk with you a while," he asked gently, noting the stress of peregrine's taut body; every fibre of it longed for him, and this lasher understood with all of him. the devil was a husband and a father as well as the caldera's leader, and there were those in great need of him.

When a dry, hacking cough forced its way out of Lasher's chest, Peregrine's brow furrowed. "That doesn't sound good," he murmured. He almost asked what Blue Willow thought of this respiratory ailment, then he felt a shiver of despair when he remembered: she had disappeared. "Blue Willow still hasn't returned?" he questioned, absolutely certain of the answer already; if she had been at hand, she would have been the one tending to him all this time.

"'Course," he replied when Lasher asked for them to walk together. "Care if we walk toward the borders? For what it's worth, I didn't mean to, like, sneak off like a total piece of shit. It just unsettles me a bit, hanging out in another pack's territory like this." Peregrine glanced at Lasher and shrugged apologetically. "I do want to thank Deirdre and—the others," he said, forgetting anyone else's names, "personally, before I take off. And I would've liked to see Oss too, though I don't feel comfortable infringing on her and the pups," he added.

"What else is on your mind?" he had to ask in the next breath, sensing some thoughts simmering just beneath the surface of Taltos's familiar gaze.

blue willow. lasher shook his head, tears leaping unbidden to his eyes. "my gentle, gentle willow," he whispered hoarsely, before the words were bitten away with the quiet shut of his mouth. peregrine spoke of those who had tended him, and lasher nodded, rising to fall into step alongside the panther. "lucani and eilidh. and the time to see osprey will come again. dante is a zealous father, and there is ... enmity there, i fear."

he was silent for many moments before the dark creature spoke again, seeking the thoughts of the druid's heart; the murkwater gaze fell earthward before he glanced to the devil again. "everywhere is death. famine. i fear i have lost all hope, and so i cling to those i love. i wanted ... i wanted to beg you not to leave," taltos went on stumblingly, quite unlike the normalcy of his tones. "i am afraid, you see, that i shall never see you again, that betwixt here and the caldera you will be lost."

Peregrine hadn't even though of Dante until Lasher mentioned him. He'd wondered if Osprey would balk, knowing he'd been right there and hadn't come to see her and his nieces and nephew. It sounded liked he'd definitely made the right call, though. "You'll tell them I said hello, won't you?" he asked rhetorically.

They plodded in silence that was weighty with Lasher's thoughts, which he eventually voiced. Peregrine's lips pursed at the words I have lost all hope. "It's not over until we're dead," he murmured mostly to himself, not wanting to interrupt Taltos. When his companion finished, he added more audibly, "Taltos, I'm not going anywhere. I mean, I'm not going to die." He shook his head. "This famine might force my hand into relocating my family but we're going to survive this, all of us are."

And that brought a thought into his head, which he voiced aloud. "The lands to the west weren't much better off... but I did find a place where the grass was starting to grow. It was a sort of island between two rivers. If stuff hasn't started growing at the caldera by the time I get back there, we're going to head that way." Of course, he hadn't consulted with his mate or Betas but he couldn't imagine any argument there. "And if that happens, I might actually be closer to you," he finished, unsure of the actual distances involved as he rolled a black shoulder.

it seemed peregrine held more hope than he. at the knowledge, lasher felt the knife's-edge of despondency cut deeper into his spirit: was he the only creature who had surrendered all hope? perhaps he was; perhaps this was a punishment of sorts, though for what he could not imagine. quietly he moved, listening to the voice of his companion, who spoke of relocation and living as though it were a decided thing.

part of the druid wished to tease peregrine, to ask him if he wished to be closer, but taltos could summon no humour within himself to speak. his only response to all that the panther had said was to veer somewhat closer and nudge the prideful arch of the sable throat, lingering only a moment before pulling aside and continuining on. 

"the sea provides some sustenance to us," the druid murmured, "else i might consider the same."

Taltos made no reply to the possibility, instead mentioning the sea which might help sustain his own pack in the meantime. Peregrine bobbed his head, hoping that they would find enough food to keep them in decent health until the herds returned. And he knew they would. The hunter recognized the signs of regrowth that would surely lure them back this way. It would take some time but it would happen. They all needed to just hang on until then.

They arrived at the borders. Peregrine only recognized them as his escort's scent began to fade from around them. He slowed, then stopped, arching into Lasher's touch with a thin smile. "Would you call Deirdre and the others?" he asked, then realized, "Unless you'd like to spend a few more minutes with just us." He wasn't opposed to that. "But I promise this isn't the end, Taltos. You'll see me again." He bumped his dark muzzle beneath Lasher's chin, commanding their gazes to meet.

peregrine's touch was a welcome balm, and lasher lingered in the shadow of it for a moment before he found the panther's eyes. "i believe it." he murmured, though he did not; he only wished fervently that he could find faith within himself that he would see the man again. these days, lasher had little stock in anything, let alone that the sun would rise again o'er the horizon over yet another day of bare land.

he wanted to make some admission to peregrine, some assurance of his love, but found not the words. a howling summons for @Eilidh, @Lucani, and @Deirdre emanated from his throat; he felt the tremble of a cough there but fought against it until the sound had floated out over the skeletal trees, and he was able to dissolve into another fit of the hoarse hacking, one that lasted longer this time and shamed him further.

Although quietly so, Lucani was one of the most optimistic wolves in Donnelaith these days. It was because she'd already been brought back from the brink, and becoming useful again had done a great deal for her mental health and the strength of her heart. So while she was far from jolly, and instead wore a calmly stoic face, the skinny creature felt strong and was already sharp and alert when her Alpha Male called.

Lasher, Peregrine, she greeted in her deep voice as she arrived on the scene. To the former she dipped her head low and submissive, and to Peregrine she offered a respectful little nod. His uncouth behaviour during his concussion hadn't appealed to her sensibilities, but it hadn't been his fault, and he was a friend to Donnelaith. Furthermore, the discovery that this was Osprey's brother, who she'd heard all about, resonated.

she was called, and deirdre worried some for it--she knew they hosted peregrine, and though now and then she had observed him and noted nothing except for his improvements, it was difficult not to fret. and so deirdre moved swiftly, her long-legged strides carrying her gracefully through donnelaith. she arrived after lucani and was greatly relieved to see peregrine standing. from a distance she had heard her fathers cough, and she wondered if lucani had, too--perhaps the handsome woman would know what exactly to do for this ailment?

she smiled to peregrine, the expression sweet and warm. i am glad to see you standing, she told him with the wave of her tail. will you be leaving us, now?

The Alpha called for his daughters and subordinate. While they waited, Peregrine stepped nearer to him, nose skimming along the bone just beneath Lasher's eye. He pressed a gentle nudge to the corner of said eye before withdrawing slightly and looking back into the forest, awaiting the arrival of the three wolves called.

Lucani came first, shortly thereafter followed by sweet Deirdre. Peregrine bowed his head to both of them. "Sorry we met under such odd circumstances," he apologized with a twitch of his lips. "Thank you for dealing with my stubborn, ridiculous ass," he added, half-blind gaze lingering particularly on Taltos's fair child. "You guys were more generous with your time, space and resources than I deserved, by a long shot," Peregrine concluded mildly.

He glanced at Taltos, jade eyes warm, then looked back at the two ladies. "You'll look after him for me, won't you?" he asked of them.

last for me <3 feel free to PP lasher out

he stood aside as peregrine greeted deirdre and lucani upon their arrival, a small smile upon his lips. the panther's words warmed him, as did the interaction between his one-time lover and his family, of which of course lucani was part. there surged in his breast a strong and abiding love for peregrine, for the sensations that had withstood the burning down of their bond, only to have it be rebuilt anew.

it was tearfully that he drew forward when peregrine was at last ready to depart them, and though he did not embrace the man as he wished before the watching eyes around them, he let his touch linger all the same, his eyes resting on peregrine as he bid the devil a gentle "goodbye."

<3

It was a pleasant scene, and Lucani was quietly grateful to be a part of it. Her time at Donnelaith had certainly changed for the better since she'd regained her health (such as it was), and she had swiftly found her place in the pack. Peregrine, the subject of Osprey's tales, had been a welcome part of that.

My pleasure, she said warmly when his greenish eyes flickered to her. Be sure to take it easy on the trip home. She could not help but give one final medical opinion.

As to Peregrine's request that they look after Lasher, she merely smiled. Lasher looked after them. And it would always be that way.

his words were rewarded with a smile, and a nod. she presumed he might not do the same, that he thought such a thing worth saying; deirdre would help any she ever could, as it was her nature to save those that needed saving. she was merciful, innocent--perhaps she would not be long for this world, and if that were so, so be it!

deirdre tilted her head at peregrine's words. the end of them had some note of finality in it that caused her to look to her father sharply. she was reminded of his coughs, and her gaze panned slowly back to the man, her fathers devil, and was wary of the premonition she felt. deirdre looked toward her father, who leaned upon peregrine in a manner she felt she had seen before, and she stepped toward lasher to rest her head atop his shoulders in a gesture of love, and desperation. it was then she released her father, and moved beside peregrine. i will walk with you, at least some of the way.

*GRABBY HANDS AT LASHER* :')

Celine Dion started playing while I was writing this... oogh, lol.

It wasn't long before both Lasher and Lucani were excusing themselves. Peregrine's lips parted, ready to protest his (best) friend's departure, especially when he saw the tears at the corners of his eyes. The darker wolf pressed into the lingering touch, taking the time to kiss the corner of one of those damp eyes before placing a second on the other man's temple. "It's see you later," he murmured insistently, sliding backward with a small, cocky smirk and a tilt of his head.

Then they were gone and Peregrine was alone with Deirdre. "All right," he agreed readily, a little surprised but also sort of pleased to have her company. He turned and began to plod toward his very distant destination, licking his lips and glancing sideways at his escort. "I'm not sure how old you were when your mother left..." he said slowly, in case this was a sensitive subject, "but you remind me of her." It was intended as the highest of compliments and he hoped it was received that way.

deirdre tried to think on how long it had been since her mother had been gone. she had truly been raised by the woman, and when she was old enough to be considered independent her mother had gone to return again and leave once more. she believed she left again simply to find if there was any green at all left in the world; deirdre knew that she herself would live and die upon donnelaith's soil, though she would lead no others to death with her.

one day, i should like to hear all about her. i know much, but not all. her voice was soft, and she was anxious to tell peregrine her fears. and so she simply did. peregrine, i do not know how much time my father has left. he is very ill, and there is nothing here to make him heal. we have used what little there was left upon him. i am afraid. i am very afraid. her heart was sore as she said it, admitted it. he may make it yet. we do all we can. we take care of him... but i fear... it may not be enough. she had to stop and collect herself for a moment, to take a breath, to interpret what she herself was saying and to know as she admitted it the truth of it.

He was getting ready to indulge Deirdre right then and there with plenty of stories about her mother, though it turned out she wanted to discuss her father instead. And with good reason, Peregrine thought, lips twisting into a grim line as she confessed her worries to him. It made the swarthy wolf want to turn around and march right back to his friend in Donnelaith. But what could he do for Taltos? And what about his other loved ones back home? He kept moving forward.

"You saved my life," Peregrine answered at length, "and so he's in the best possible hands. Your dad is strong, stronger than you probably know," he continued in a low murmur. "The green is returning now. If he's made it this far, this long, he's going to be fine." It might have sounded like optimism but it was more like denial, to tell the truth. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his monthly meetings with Lasher. He always looked forward to them so. And that was selfish but both of them (Peregrine and Lasher) knew that about him.

"He will be okay," he finished firmly, decisively, brooking no argument from Deirdre even as he favored her with a soft smile that he hoped reassured her. They then walked in companionable silence a while longer before Peregrine insisted she turn back. He thanked her again, wished her well, then finally began making his way back home.