Among the greats

He let loose his howl, one filled with command and rage and possessiveness. His wolves. He called them to him, and they came. Ties of blood and family and loyalty pulled them to the meeting point. He did not look back at the cart and its terrible remains. The scent of burnt flesh had followed him, and only some of it was his own.

His daughter was first. The woman she had become looked up at him from lilac eyes and her mothers coat, and he fought to hold the anger that kept him upright. He let it sustain him, and bring the shape of wild things to his features.

He acknowledged his daughter after a moment, pulling his eyes to her and holding it as other wolves filled in. He did not answer her questions, it was not something he could speak of more than once.

He glanced to Gossy as she approached, acknowledging the younger daughter with his eyes, and nothing more. Aris, Briar…. Indigo. His eyes lingered on the deeply purple wolf. His boy, who had not come home to him once but for today. For this.

Hikaru and Mortis, the Girl Without Her Memory. Valor, then his General, Kotori, Natha, Stjarna, Ada, Acciona, Sedna, and Skyfire. Venom, Empress of Ashen appeared over their borders and attended his meeting. She had an open invitation to, always. His eyes did not linger, it hurt and burned and boiled to keep the eyes of those he loved. It was his duty and privilege to protect these wolves, all of them. He had failed.

He stepped forward, bringing the attention of the Armada to him. Unnecessary, the somber air had ensured everyone's confused and worried glances had landed on him. “Armada.” He called, his deep voice carrying over the silent crowd. “Today, two of our greatest have fallen.” his voice fell with a snarl, and there was something burning in his eyes. He stepped harder on his soot-marked paws and looked to Asla, to Indigo and Mortis, to his second litter, and to the pack that looked to him. “Zeitgeist Fatalis” Oh, how she hated her full name. “Zee.” he said, more softly this time. “and Azure Fatalis, were consumed in a fire. Today, I bury our dead. Tomorrow, we will speak of what this means to the pack.” his voice was gravely and dangerous. He could not be a comforting father. Not now, not today, he turned, and moved towards the cart, leaning forward, he kissed a bone. Lost in his thoughts of his dead and self-hate, before he stepped forward, moving through the crowd, and to a spot by the Obelisk. Then, silently, he began to dig.


"Speech"