spreading the word

"Tyrian," she said, standing as he approached. "I'm making my way around the continent, paying visits to the packs. I've got news - some changes in Abaven, but I wanted to check in as well. How have you fared through the sickness?" she asked, concern touching her voice. He seemed intact, but there was no telling how the ooze might have changed beneath the surface. She still awake occasionally in a fright, the phantom viscous liquid clogging her throat. "Abaven has gotten through to the other side, but - " her voice hitched, "Rhyme passed. We've lost others as well," she breathed in deeply, raising her eyes to meet his. There was a heaviness to the words this time. Theo felt like she'd repeated it ad nauseam over these pack visits, spreading news of death like a tape stuck on repeat. This time, her last visit before home, it felt hardest.