The Roman was never a patient man, and so it was pretty obvious he would rather go and check on his children immediately than to wait and see if Paarthurnax would send someone to tell him he could visit. This time he chose to bring a few wolves with him, a few trusted wolves that stayed by his side all this time. Those he knew he could trust with his life, hopefully. The wolf he thought of as a little brother, Flash and Crëyr, who was a dearly trusted friend.
It was not a good decision, to leave his precious pack behind in the paws of Hjalmar, not that he didn't trust the frosted warrior, the healer had easily earned his respect, but Shadow did not know whether or not he was a good leader and he hoped the Bypass would not fall into chaos while he was gone.
They traveled for a few days, crossing the frozen wasteland, sleeping for a few hours each day and eating whatever they could fine. Even though they were pack wolves, when they were on a mission like this, they could not be picky. Best eat whatever they could find, it would sustain them for now. And they needed strength for what could come at them at the borders of Swiftcurrent Creek.
Shadow was a good distance away from Creek borders, a stoic mask fixed firmly over his features. Silver eyes, fierce and piercing as he gazed into the distance and wondered if this was a good idea. Probably not. He was full of bad ideas after all. But the Roman did not hesitate to tilt his head back into the air and howl, requesting for those who held power in the pack. He did not howl for Paarthurnax, because if she was there, he knew the leading wolves would tell her he was there. If she wasn't, well, deal with the leaders first?
three days had gone by ever since they had left noctisardor bypass— three days of living in makeshift shelters, eating whatever they could hunt for and find. it was then had they reached the always-spoken-of swiftcurrent creek, the pack falwasi resided in and the pack paar had gone to.
she was glad shadow had chosen herself and flash to accompany him on this trip. it was a demonstration of his trust, and crëyr was grateful for that. the bypass was left in the paws of hjalmar, the snowy warrior, and she wondered if it was thriving or was already beginning to crumble. she wasn't sure with that, though, as she knew hjalmar was trusty enough.
they were a fair distance away from creek borders, and they were here for the sole purpose of seeking shadow's pups out, to see how they were doing. crëyr herself and flash were backup, she was told, as they never knew what would happen within this encounter.
shadow lifted his head and let out a howl, a song that echoed through the plains, requesting for whoever and whoever to approach. the sterling female wondered if paar was to answer— the last time she had seen her had been some months ago. would she also see falwasi?
As they traveled across the frozen wasteland, Flash found himself worrying more and more. He kept thinking back to Noctisardor Bypass, wondering if it was such a great idea to leave Hjalmar in charge. The white warrior and healer was trustable, but he was still new. Prehaps a more experience wolf would have been better. But flash knew he would never deny the offer Shadow had made, it was a sign of trust.
In his swirling mess of thoughts, Flash jolted to a stop as he realised both of his companions had stopped. He sniffed the air, smelling the pack scent. Swiftcurrent Creek. They had finally arrived. Flash started to panic again. What if Swiftcurrent creek decided that three of them were bad news? They could be severely injured. And Flash wasn't sure what he would do if he died outside of Noctisardor Bypass.
Wolf up, you little idiot!His inner self screamed. Flash grimaced. He was a coward, and those weren't part of Noctisardor Bypass. If Swiftcurrent Creek came out with a fight, he'd meet it with open claws. He kept silent, staring out to the territory as Shadow howled. Hopefully, they will leave with four pups, if not, at least one.
So it was time, then. Bazi was not far away when Shadow's call sounded across the Swiftcurrent plain, and though the call was not for her, she considered Scimitar's business just as much hers as his.
Does he know about Paarthurnax? she wondered, moving to the borders at speed, tail held stiff and perpendicular to the ground. No, how could he possibly - unless a Swiftcurrent wolf had said something.
As usual, Shadow was not alone. There were two other Bypass wolves to contend with - Bazi imagined that she had seen them before, but it might very well have been an entirely different set of henchmen. She slowed a few hundred meters away, awaiting backup and assessing the feelings in her heart. Calm. Everyone knew what this visit would be about, but the matter was no longer simple. The children were grown, with minds of their own, and Bazi was safe in the knowledge that at least two of them would rather eat shit than leave her (and then they would also eat shit, because it was still an exciting thing to do at their age).
Kieran heard the howl that came across the creek lands. Bowing his head he looked down. This would be a painful visit for the father, this he knew. Potentially a violent one. After all, now that Paar was missing, wouldn't Shadow try and take his children. He snarled softly, and loped towards the edge of the pack lands. He'd be damned if anyone was going to hurt a creek wolf, on his watch.
He stopped next to Bazi and waited silently. His green eyes appraising those in front of him. So shadow brought some friends this time. Well Damn.
Any day now they would leave this place behind -- Scimitar was already making the plans of action. There was still no signs of Paarthurnax or her daughter, and slowly, the Alpha was becoming to accept the painful notion that she truly was not coming back. Bazi and himself had already moved the boys to a rendezvous site, and just as he was about to stretch his legs and take them on another rabbit chase, a call echoed across the Creek lands.
With a stoical mask usually in place, the timing of Shadow was impeccable, and Scimitar could not withhold a grimace. Like a homeless stray cat, the silver male just kept coming back even though he knew he was unwanted.
But something had changed this time, and as his bright eyes looked to the three boys, he knew with a resigned heart that this too had fallen on his shoulders now. Before, it has been easy to place his rules and no more than that.. Paar had wanted her ex-mate in the lives of their pups, and Scimitar had given her rights to that decision.. as long as it did not take place within the heart of his land. Now, as the assumed guardian of the trio, the decision began to shift to his plate.
Rounding them up, he moved his way to the borders. Shadow was not alone this time, and while he withheld his amusement, the agouti wolf would have crowed with laughter at the silver fool bringing along his own little bodyguards.. No likely due to the last meeting where the entirety of the pack ahd kept a watchful eye on the snake.
He moved forward -- Kieran and Bazi had already beat him to it after nudging the boys to stay at Kieran's heels. Closing the distance between himself and their 'visitors,' his cold eyes studied Shadow's companions only vaguely before settling dominantly on to the Bypass regal. "Shadow, there's news," he offered, his tone strong, but without the distaste it usually held. No doubt the news had not made it to the man, and had the tables been turned, Scimitar would want to have been informed of his ex-lover's demise. "Paarthurnax and Durnehviir are gone. We don't know where they are, and there was blood at the birth site."
a crime so old as the sky and bone
They hadn't left it lately, what with the Alphas being quite preoccupied with other things, but today Scimitar finally took them on another jaunt. Relonikiv had no idea that today was about business, not play, and that his life and future were at stake. He tagged along at Scimitar's heels, his tongue lolling from his mouth in an easy grin. He occasionally swatted at Trajan or Julius, though mostly he was too busy looking around and taking in the scenery. The world still held much of interest to his young, uninitiated senses.
Then they came upon a gathering of wolves and Relonikiv paused, his blueish gray eyes bouncing from the familiar figures of Bazi and Kieran to the triad of strangers standing in the distance. He smiled and wagged his tail, as happy as ever to make new friends. His golden headed bowed in the presence of so many adults and, despite his naturally high energy levels, he sat on top of Scimitar's left forepaw and remained relatively still. He sensed that something important was about to happen, or already happening.
"Wha... what'th hap'n?" he queried softly, tipping his head to look up at Scimitar's grizzly chin. That's when the Alpha male spoke, albeit not to him. He addressed the three strangers, his voice thick and unwavering. Relonikiv blinked as he tried to follow along, then nibbled at his lower lip as his eyes found those unfamiliar faces again. He momentarily caught the eye of the one in the center, unaware that he was looking into a distant mirror, his graying eyes compliments of this very wolf.
Aunt Bazi and Scimitar had taken up the parenting roles. Besides moving to the new rendezvous site, things were almost like how they were before Paar and Durnehviir disappeared. The only difference was they weren't there. Playing and exploring still took place, and it seemed like this was just another exploration. However, it took a turn from the fun atmosphere Julius lived in when Scim led them to a group of wolves.
Julius didn't like it. His family now consisted of Relonikiv, Trajan, Aunt Bazi, and Scimitar. Everyone else wasn't a friend... Discounting UV of course. Everyone else was a stranger. So unlike Relonikiv, he darted towards Aunt Bazi and scuttled under her. With a small growl, he peered out at all the other wolves. There were way too many way too close to his family.
The three brothers had not left the site lately, with their new guardians preoccupied with other things, possibly more important. Today, however, Scimitar took them on another journey which the oldest brother went along with, he occasionally returned Relonikiv's touch though without much enthusiasm, his blue eyes taking in the scenery around him. They stopped and Trajan's gaze drifted across Bazi and Kieran's features to the trio of wolves, of strangers.
He watched as his runt of a brother asked what was happening while Julius scuttled away towards Bazi which drew a long look from Trajan, but when Scimitar spoke, the silver pup turned his attention to the trio of strangers, eyes catching the large greyscale's wolf's look.
god of the dead and wealth
lord of the underworld
PATRON GOD
![[Image: 501c0ec5-fff5-44f9-b058-4df11604e755.png]](https://dj1hlxw0wr920.cloudfront.net/userfiles/wyzfiles/501c0ec5-fff5-44f9-b058-4df11604e755.png)
It was Bazi who first arrived and Kieran followed, he regarded both with cool indifference, but did not move or speak, after all they were not leaders in his mind and he had no words for them. So, Shadow waited until the scent of the Creek Alpha drifted by, carried along by a gust of wind. Followed by the scent was the form of the agouti male and following him were three pups. The runt, Relonikiv, the large white boy, Julius and the oldest pup, Trajan. But his daughter was mission and he looked at Scimitar for an explanation.
The Roman watched as the leader moved forward and finally spoke, surprisingly without the usual distaste his tone held. He knew the reason soon enough, "Paarthurnax and Durnehviir are gone. We don't know where they are, and there was blood at the birth site." If not for his father's training, a flurry of raging emotions would have passed across his features and he would have lunged forward to snatch the pathetic lump of a wolf in front of him by the throat. But that was not the behavior of a leader, instead he forced himself to calm down, the stoic mask remaining in place, always.
My daughter is gone, presumed dead. I suppose you have tried to hunt for her mother and her,
Shadow spoke, an angry glint crossing his eyes for a moment before vanishing. He did not want to risk the lives of his packmates after all. He did not speak, instead his steely platinum gaze sought out the forms of the three boys, and his usually cold and emotionless eyes softened and sparked with warmth. They've grown so much, he thought and merely smiled when Julius growled.
Shadow turned to Scimitar, Since Paarthurnax is no longer here, and they are old enough, they're coming with me.
But then he decided to give them a choice, something his father never gave him, and besides they might have made close connections with some of the Swiftcurrent Creek wolves in their month stay and he didn't want to pull them so abruptly away. Or give them a choice, to stay with you or come with me.
His gaze was resolute.
a band of wolves who crëyr presumed shadow knew gathered before them, swiftcurrent eyes flickering warily between the three. the grayscale girl's body prickled with discomfort, though still she kept her azure gaze steady. first came in a small white female, followed by two large, burly males, and a bundle of pups she knew were shadow's. and paar's.
but where was paar? didn't shadow also mention a fourth child?
her orbs trailed the pups' movements, her gaze careful and gentle and soft as it had always been with children, watching as one strode up to the burly, blue-eyed male she assumed was the one shadow disliked the most. and as it sat.
she was ready for the worst when he spoke solemnly— delivering the blow, the words that informed them of paar's disappearance and departure. along with her daughter. her eyes flickered to shadow. she knew him a lot better now, and she knew that beneath that stoic mask was bubbling anger. crëyr was sure he wasn't going to lash out at them, though, it would be of no use if he did.
the sterling female's gaze turned sadly downwards, to the ground, the insides of her mouth beginning to dry. so she was never going to see paar once more, neither was she going to receive the opportunity to meet his daughter. as much as she wanted to console him, she could not for now.
shadow proceeded to react to the news by stating that the pups would follow him, as of course, he was their rightful father— but he would give them a choice. judging by the way the two boys were seemingly content with who they were with and where they lived in, she guessed they were going to decide to stay. the other boy, on the other hand, the bundle of grey paired with the bright eyes... her gentle gaze landed on him then, cerulean blue eyes regarding shadow's pup with curiosity and tenderness.
His eyes trailed the three male pups, his eyes soft and comforting, hoping they would see that the three wolves were not here for any trouble. If they thought that, the rest of the Swiftcurrent Creek wolves would probably back off a bit too. His eyes hardened slightly as one trotted up to one of the large males, most likely the leader and the one Shadow despised most.
He prepared himself as the leader gave words of how Paarthurnax had disappeared, along with one of the pups, and blood was found. He canted his head slightly, hoping to see Shadow's reaction. Not to his surprise, the silver alpha remained under a stoic mask. But Flash didn't need to be a genius to know Shadow was furious.
Flash felt his head droop slightly, as reality finally sunk in and he realised that Paarthurnax and one of Shadow's pups were gone. Now, the golden beta was never close to the the bi-colored female, only actually interacting once, in a very awkward situation. But she was still a life, and she still had a lot to live for. And the pup, it was so young, it should have been able to live a life.
Shadow turned to the burly wolf and said how he should be able to take his pups back to Noctisardor Bypass. Hope surged through Flash. Shadow was the rightful parent of the pups, he should be able to get his pups back. But then, Shadow gave them a choice. A choice to come with him, or to stay here. Flash felt his heart drop. No pup will want to leave the territory they had grown so use to.
Two of the pups also looked rather distant to them. Not good. But as Flash's eyes landed on the third one, a pup with Shadow's silvery fur and a pair of blue eyes. He realised the pup was regarding Shadow. It was like a miniature version of Shadow was standing there. The golden beta shot a pleading look at him, knowing he would be heart-broken if he had to leave without one pup with them. Flash proceeded to shoot the other two pups the same look. But it was up to them, and Flash could do nothing more than wait.
Kieran was swift to join her, bristling with nerves. Bazi put a staying paw next to his bear-sized one at the same time as Scimitar arrived on the scene - with the children tumbling around him. Surprised dropped Bazi's jaw, but she held back any comments and clicked her teeth together. Technically, Swiftcurrent Creek had no claim on these children. They were Shadow's by blood. Bazi gave her head an agitated shake and urged Kieran forward. She had to listen to this.
She caught Shadow's final sentence: "Or give them a choice, to stay with you or come with me."
Ridiculous. They were children! Of course they would stay! Bazi withheld a triumphant smirk, and awited. The pups themselves seemed confused - Julius was quick to take cover beneath her, glaring icily in his father's direction. Relonikiv stood pressed to Scimitar, eyeing the trio of strangers with the same wary optimism he would offer any other unknown thing. And Trajan.. he had never quite settled. Mostly, he stared, as he did now. He was the spitting image of his father.
Kieran looked down as petite paw, took residence next to his own larger one. He glanced at Bazi from the corner of green eye. Shaking his head in disbelief. He let loose one small growl, though quiet in most regards. He supposed Shadow had the right to say such things. At least he would give them a choice.
He watched as the one boy, the one with a soul of a warrior, stood staring his father down. Kieran could not say their names very well, he tried and sometimes he could get them. Mostly though he just watched over them and listened to them. They couldn't understand him, either very well he imagined.
They had moved closer and now he stood, simply waiting.
The youngest of his wards came forward – not at all staying in the place Scimitar had hoped they would, and as Kiv glanced up at him so trustingly, he felt his chest tighten with the very real worry that they would be taken from the pack. His eyes dipped down to study the pup, his muzzle bending down to graze his chin affectionately over the boy’s head, though his eyes would soon snap up to Shadow’s once more, wondering what the others thoughts were in this very moment – how much his children must have changed in the time that had passed.
Julius remained with Bazi – but surprising to him (or perhaps not so), was that Trajan stared at the Bypass wolves with something akin to intrigue, and Paarthurnax’s words echoed in his voice at that moment – he was indeed very much like his father.
Shadow’s first question went unanswered – he knew the answer to that, and Scimitar’s sharp gaze was his only response – the cinnamon wolf would have moved mountains for Paarthurnax if he could have. To have his best friend gone was devastating.
The next words were one he expected – and his initial reaction was to outright refuse. To coral the boys away from the borders and deal with the consequences no matter what they might have been – if Shadow thought Swiftcurrent Creek would bend to his will, he was surely kidding himself. But the grey male seemed to think better of his approach, and holding back a small frown – his stoical mask careful upon his features – Scimitar cast a quick glance to Bazi. With trepidation (they were so young, what if they misunderstood and chose to go on an adventure?) the regal gave a nod, his eyes drifting down to the boys. “Boys – this is your father, Shadow. He is offering for you to go home with him to his pack and care – or you can stay with Bazi and I.” He spoke slowly, wondering if they truly understood him. Blinking down at Kiv, he felt a wave of nausea hit him then. If they said they wanted to leave – would he really be able to let them go?
a crime so old as the sky and bone
The young runt blinked, then gave his answer: he now wrapped both his scrawny forelegs around the Alpha male's limb and buried his face against it, his back to Shadow and co. Why on earth would he want to go anywhere with a stranger? What did Scimitar mean when he introduced this Shadow wolf as their father? Relonikiv barely recognized the word, much less its true meaning. He showed his face long enough to catch a glimpse of Shadow and his two companions, then turned his head to peer at Bazi and Julius nearby.
"Thtay," he whispered emphatically, his grayish blue eyes now seeking Trajan's familiar form. Not only did Relonikiv want to stay here with his familiar guardians, he wanted his brothers to do the same, and so he spoke for all three of them (or so he thought). Paarthurnax and Durnehviir had already left them. What was left of their family—which did not include Shadow, in his mind—needed to stick together.
Then, there was Relonikiv. He wanted to stay, but why? Why would he want to stay around all these strangers when they could play with each other at home? But, like the good brother he was at times, Julius would stay here if Relonikiv really wanted to, no matter how much discomfort it caused him.
While Julius didn't say anything, his actions made it quite clear he wouldn't be going anywhere with Shadow, whether he understood the options or not. He remained rooted to Bazi's leg, occasionally shooting grumpy glares at those he didn't know.
The silver pup turned his bright gaze at Scimitar when the wolf spoke, and unlike his two brothers, he thought about it, considered it. He did not know this Shadow wolf, and he did not really know what a 'father' was but he was offering for them to go with him, to home. Home had always been with his family, wherever they were, now only half his family remained and he wondered where home was now. Then Scimitar gave them another option, Trajan could stay with Bazi and Scimitar, friends not family. Not home.
He did not give his answer yet, but looked around for his brothers, Relonikiv hugged the Alpha's limb furiously and finally spoke, to stay. Trajan met his brother's grayish blue gaze for a moment before turning to Julius who did not speak. Instead remained by Bazi and glared at the strangers which somehow drew a small smile onto his lips. If he chose to stay, he would continue life with his two younger brothers and the Alphas, if he chose to go he would leave that behind, leave his littermates. But they were the only ties Trajan had to Swiftcurrent Creek. And this offering of 'home' sounded a lot better. To leave the place where his sister and mother vanished and have a new start, albeit without his siblings.
It was better, in his mind. And the silver pup chose that.
Trajan trotted forward to nudge Scimitar's forelimb, the one Relonikiv wasn't hugging and looked upwards to look the Alpha in the eye, his gaze solemn. "I go," he spoke simply but he spoke it loudly.
god of the dead and wealth
lord of the underworld
PATRON GOD
Shadow was glad that Scimitar did not object to his idea of letting the pups choose, but then why did he need to object? After all, they were sure to stay with the familiar wolves, the ones who they had known for their entire lives, there was no way any of them would choose to go with a stranger. He wondered what would have happened if they stayed, if Paarthurnax never left and they grew up in the Bypass. Would they look at him the same way they looked at their current guardians? With trust and love? It seemed impossible.
So when Relonikiv wrapped his paws around Scimitar's forelimb and spoke to stay, Shadow was not surprised and neither was he to see Julius glare at them. It was obvious what their answers were. So he turned to look at the Creek's Alpha Male and shot him and Bazi a look that meant take good care of them and was about to turn and leave when a voice spoke "I go,".
The Roman's gaze flicked downwards to look at the peppered silver form of his firstborn son, he was glad the indifferent mask was still locked upon his features for if they were not, the Creek wolves would have saw a look of pure astonishment flash upon his face. After a long moment, Shadow lifted his head and looked at Scimitar, "You'll let him visit won't you?"
"I go."
Bazi had though the thought, but when it actually happened, she was dumbstruck by it. You don't know what you're giving up!, she wanted to scream, staring at the naive child at Scimitar's feet. The pack was mere weeks from relocating, taking them many more days of hazardous travel away from the Bypass than currently. It was unlikely that Trajan would ever see his brothers again. Julius and Relonikiv were all but fused to their adopted parents, either hiding or giving the visiting wolves angry, mistrustful glares.
Bazi shifted closer to Julius, moving her gaze from Trajan to her lover's shoulder. Inside, anger bubbled and spat. Her reply to Shadow's gently spoken question burned in her throat, unfit for sharing, and she swallowed it alongside a string of sobs. He was giving a choice to a child - a child that had no idea what he was giving up, or what he was entering into. What if Paarthurnax returned? What if the Blackfeather pack picked a new target? And what did Shadow know about rearing children, anyway? Bazi exhaled shakily and raised her gaze. "Be good to him," she rumbled thickly.
her predictions had been mostly correct, for the first two boys had chosen to stay with the two behind them. trajan, on the other hand, went forward to scimitar, touched his paw, and solemnly announced that he would go.
surprise crossed her features as shadow turned his sterling gaze onto his son. to be honest, she had expected for them to return with none of the children, for they weren't about to launch a full-on attack on swiftcurrent creek to barge in and snag the children, but again, one was better than none.
the pale white female, her gaze previously smug, was staring, her cold blue eyes on trajan. her eyes were screaming with probably everything she wanted to say, and crëyr's own blue ones shifted. suddenly she felt a surge of unexplainable dislike and contempt for this female— something didn't go their way, did it?
but again, she didn't have the slightest clue about them. but she was guessing, judging by what she saw and what she could tell.
when she told shadow to be good to him, her head spoke "we will."
Not surprising, the first two had stayed. Flash sighed inwardly. He didn't want to leave without them. But he guess they must. Ah, so Noctisardor Bypass would still be empty of pup's laugher. Until one of them has pups at least. (hint hint) He moved backwards, about to turn around, before he saw the miniture Shadow pad up to the guy who seemed like the leader.
Trajan. That was the pup's name. Flash remembered Shadow telling him about the pups. He announced he would go. Surprise flared through the golden beta, and shock ran through his veins. He would go? Why? It meant leaving his brothers, the last family he knew. Of course, he was going to know Shadow too. But right now, his brothers were his only family as far the the pup should concern.
He looked up, hoping to catch the reaction of the Swiftcurrent Creek wolves. One of them, a white female looked at Trajan in disbelief. She seemed calm, but her eyes betrayed her. A sudden dislike for her grew in Flash. Her previous expression for smug, making Flash dislike her more. He was shocked, he wasn't one to judge one so quickly. He normally would judge others after a conversation.
She spoke, telling Shadow to look after Trajan. Flash canted his head lightly, wondering if it was actual concern for the pup, or was mocking them. He looked at the pup wondering is Trajan still needed milk. None of the females in the pack could provide him with that. "Believe it or not. We will, I promise." He called out, taking a step forward, wondering if he should go fetch the pup or at least give it a nudge in their direction.
Shadow seemed to take this as a small victory -- his question hung in the silence of the air though Scim's good ear did flicker back toward his ivory companion as she requested they look after him. He could hear the emotion in her voice -- and he could feel his own emotions in the base of his throat as it began to ache at the idea that Trajan would not be with them for one more night. "I would not keep him from his brothers," was the simple reply he gave the Bypass wolf, his own eyes skimming the three before him before they once more shifted to Trajan. Bending his muzzle down, his nose would skim over the boy's head in fondness, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled sharply -- as if holding on to a lasting memory. "Trajan.. I'm sorry," he muttered quietly, truly only for the boy to hear and so the words would only likely sound like a gentle whisper to the others. "Do not forget your brothers," he spoke, more loudly now as he gave one last nuzzle before pulling up.
His heart was heavy, but he kept himself in check. A cool, stoical glance was given to Shadow before he gave a nod to the man. "It's best you know that we will not be in the Creek for much longer. We travel north of here. If he misses his brothers, we can meet in a neutral land inbetween," he offered, without much more indication of where they were going. Afterall, part of the reason was to place more distance between themselves and the Bypass wolves. Even more so, the Blackfeather Woods pack.
a crime so old as the sky and bone
Trajan was his older brother and superior, so Relonikiv didn't feel he could question his motives. Instead of asking him, the boy tearfully looked up at Scimitar and whispered a heartbroken, "W-why?" He then looked at Trajan, feeling confusion, betrayal and a myriad of other things. It was difficult making sense of the situation, since it was a quintessentially nonsensical one.
Nobody seemed ready to argue for Trajan to stay, which made Relonikiv cry all the harder. They were going to let him go, just like that? Scimitar's reply to Shadow was punctuated by the boy's hiccuping sobs and even a ululating wail. He could barely see through the thick flood of tears and he certainly couldn't hear what was being said. But his tiny golden muzzle remained pointed at Trajan in disbelief.