Swiftcurrent Creek the sun will settle on dust

Glassy copper eyes lingered on the faces of her friends as they took notice of her, and her tail began to sweep at her rear. They gawked at her, surprised perhaps to see that she was still in one piece considering the grim scene she'd left behind at the den-site. It was Bazi who first seemed to snap from her daze, pulling herself shakily onto her ivory paws and sprinting full pelt toward her whilst bellowing her name. Paarthurnax whimpered, emotion constricting her heart and throat, and she strode forth to fling herself into her friend's embrace.

Her muscles and joints ached, but the crimson Frostfur did not care to dwell on her frailty. Adrenaline coursed her veins, and as she leaned into Bazi's form, she felt her troubles melt away. The world, her fears and her weakness dissipated as she tucked herself snug against the other wolfess' frame and wept freely into the alabaster fur at her muzzle.

Soon, little Relonikiv was prancing at her paws, and Paar unfurled herself from her friend to plant atop her son's head a flurry of kisses. She crooned to him, a soft growl of utmost love, her feathered tail swishing to and fro at her sleek hinds. "I love you," she pressed her snout to the golden boy's cheek, flicked her tongue past her lips to deliver yet another lick to Relonikiv's pale chin, then closed her eyes to breathe deep the scent of him. Her hart skipped a beat and, smiling, she lifted her head to look upon her littlest child and realise how much she'd missed.