V.estige

The beaten Alpha slowly entered the terrain he had come to call home. His eyes glassed over with water that would spill as tears, his body beaten and bleeding as he released a painful howl to his pack. There was grave news to be delievered.

The wolf turned to watch his pack come in and walked over to Liseli. With a wimper, he gently licked her face and nuzzled her.
I'm sorry for your loss Liseli. It's all my fault. I should not have dragged you into the war. It should be me who lies in an eternal rest, Not your sister...
The Alpha sighed before looking at both Liseli and Sweetbrier.
Thank you both for staying by my side in this dreadful war. I owe you my life.

Liseli*Eytan

Liseli nodded absently, allowing the alphen to express his sorrow without protest. Her voice was soft and distracted as she spoke to him. Sauda has never gone where she did not believe she was needed. Make no mistake, my alpha. Sauda died because you had to live. Lady lost enough when the last alphen died. My sister was determined that she not lose a mate, too. And the pups not their father.

A guarded smile hit the female's face as Eytan came trotting to the call, tail waving. Hello, big brother. Nice time? He was not really her brother, but... it was another of her code phrases. Darkfire flies on dark wings this day. It was her way of saying Sauda was dead, and warning him not to react, all at once.

He nodded, and if the eyes were just a but shiny, it was all that showed. Very nice time, Liseli. And he turned to V.estige. You have beautiful children, my friend. And your mate has a heart of gold. When Sauda requested that I guard them, I never suspected what a pleasure it would be. If you ever require my assistance, send message to Ochotona for the alphen there. And he let a small smile back on his face. But now I must go. I have been away from my lands long enough. Fare thee well, alphen, Liseli. May fortune's wings fly you both safe home in the end.

And the alphen was gone.

Lady - Mac - Tresse - Fe - Angel

Lady smelt V.esitge and followed Eytan away from the den Fe, Tresse, Angel, And Mac followed her. She soon spoted V.estige And broke int a run towards him "V.esitge!" she called out coliding into him because she forgot to slow down. Stratend her self out steping away. "Were is Sauda?" she asked realizig her friend was missing

Fe, Tresse, Angel all ran in after Lady not giving V.estige time to recover from Ladys coliding into him. "Dady!" they shouted happaly tugging at his ears.

Liseli

Liseli watched silently as Lady greeted her mate so joyfully. She felt a small surge of pride to have brought him safely back to her, but she couldn't smile at the moment. The ability seemed to have left her. Ears perked at Lady's question, but the white faery remained silent for two reasons. First, she was uncertain whether she could explain what had happened without the code. The code was her way of hiding, so that she didn't have to really say what she meant. Second, she knew that the news would shock Lady, and decided that such things were best left to V.estige, who would better know how to break it to her. And, thus justifying her silence, she said nothing.

V.estige

After recovering from Lady's imapct and the pups assault, V.estige looked to Liseli when Lady asked of Sauda. However the vixen remained silent and so V.estige looked to Lady with a sudden sadness in his eyes.
Urm...Lady..Can I talk to you alone please...
Nudging her, he lead her away from the small gathering, so that Liseli wasn't hurt if he put it the wrong way.
Lady, I dont know how to tell you this, but Sauda...She passed on in the war. I'm so sorry. I did my best to protect her, as did Liseli, but obviously her time had come, It was very quiet.
He hung his head, before licking her gently on the muzzle.
I really am sorry.

Lady

Lady thought Liseli's silence was odd and a sudden fealing of dread filled her. she turned to v.estige and followed him."I'm sure she died doing what she thought was right." she managed to say in responce. She returned his lick. "Is the war over?" she asked hoping that it was. she justwouldn't know what to do if more of her small pack died.

Liseli

Liseli watched silently, sorry that she could not have told Lady herself. But at the moment, she found herself unable to speak. She stood frozen for a few moments, debating and throwing things aside in her mind. Finally, softly, she turned away, slipping unseen into the forest. She needed to be alone for awhile.

V.estige

Yes the war is over...

He saw Liseli slip into the trees and sighed,

...but i feel Liseli's battle with herself over Sauda has just begun...

Lady

Her eyes lite up at bit at the note that the war ws over. "I'm sure she will be fine." she paused as she watched Liseli go. "Just give her time."