The Sentinels the mordant liquor of tears

Round 2 will end Saturday, February 27th

lasher had expected a hubbub to arise, but not from the throat of almost every wolf present. he watched them with a growing sense of weariness -- their love for him was apparent, and appreciated, but troublesome in its collective loudness. when they had finished speaking -- and he glanced to blue willow with mild surprise at her outburst, for normally she was quite calm -- the druid stood to his paws. 

"thank you for your contributions. i still must go alone, for i would not endanger a one of you. and if we are attacked while i am away, donnelaith will be in need of each able body." tachyon, though he had volunteered and for this taltos admired him, was still very weak and in need of tending. lasher would not sacrifice him to the pirates. 

"each one of you has my love and my gratitude, but you are needed her, to guard our gates and to lead in my absence." his eyes swept the grouping for a quiet moment before he went on; it was clear that lasher would hear no more entreaties as to his going alone. his daughter had posed a respectable question, and osprey followed it with another.

"the seawitch, as you may know her, is caiaphas. she has long been my companion. she warned me of the snows that rose up with sea-winds in the winter, and i know she would give of herself to us if i asked. i would do the same for her. if she is the same woman who pillaged and murdered, i do not know it. she has given me no reason to mistrust her, nor any indication that she is of that group."

"the logistics of this will be worked upon when i go to see her, which is as soon as possible. if she is to send wolves, so be it, or if we are to converge for the time being, then yes. but i would not make that decision alone," he murmured, looking to his trio of leaders. "no matter what is decided, we must band together against this common threat."

and he fell silent, awaiting them to speak again.