Ankyra Sound This isn't happening. This can't be happening

Things were good: the morning was peaceful, with the Seadogs abandoning their home things had been quiet for Saltwinter — the small tiff between Ondine and Maude not withstanding — and Kjalarr allowed him to cherish it. They were small, as they'd always been, but they were strong, they worked hard. They deserved the peace, the viking thought. They, who had endured so much. While Kjalarr enjoyed the illusion of peace as he made his way through the monoliath forest he was oblivious to the fact that Caiaphas had called out to him (and Maude) for help as the sea overtook her. It was not until (a few hours?) later that Maude's call tore the sky asunder, urgent and demanding.

Intuition told him that something was very amiss, before he even came upon the scene, his wild gaze touching upon those that had gathered: Bain, Slancio, and Ondine; before his gaze zeroed in on Maude whom they all gathered around, alert and confused. He took the longest studying Maude's face, hoping that if he studied it enough it might become an open book and silently communicate what had happened. His pulse still slightly erratic in his chest from his run to reach her, it picked up as he moved closer to her, only to slow as his stomach pooled with ice that he felt seeping up into his heart. She was not injured — he smelled no blood, and though she appeared to be distraught she did not betray any sort of pain. He took stark notice of Caiaphas' absence and swallowed thickly as suspicion that something had happened to her stabbed him in the gut: like a rusted knife.

“Maude,” He had entered the scene as Ondine had posed the question and Kjalarr saw no need to repeat them, glad that for the moment they appeared to be putting aside their differences. Despite that he did not ask it aloud, it was still were present in his eyes, the demand for answers. Instead, he asked, “Are you alright?” Yet, she had summoned the entirety of the pack: not just him so he did not believe it to be an injury (not that he'd be any help with that anyway). “Where is Caiaphas?” He asked her softly, being careful to avoid making a demand of the inquiry.