the edge

A tear ran down the older wolfs speckled cheek and, without even thinking that it might bother her, Asla raised one dainty paw to brush it away. She listened to the woman speak and as she asked what brought her to the volcano, Asla gave a little shrug. "I like places like this." She looked towards the mouth of the volcano. "They remind me of how good things are in our world." The volcano had ravaged the land. It had taken countless lives. Yet now Ashen and the Armada were thriving. Wolves were having children. No one was sick. Everyone was fed. Things were good.

Deathbelle spoke of the land looking so desolate and the girl flashed a soft smile. "Aunt Io tells me that the land is just asleep. It's resting after being hurt, but soon it will come back to life." She believed every word that came out of Iolaire's mouth. "She's pretty smart, you know?"

Stretching, Asla slid down to lay upon her stomach. "Why are you so sad? Did something happen?" She gave her head a tilt, purple gaze fixing upon the Empress.