Return of the King... Sort of.

Chimera returned her greeting easily, but she could hear the fatigue in his voice. Venom wasn’t sure if it was tiredness from the journey or emotional wounds bubbling forth. He did make note of the time of day that he decided to call her, and he was correct, she wasn’t so bothered she would have said anything. Sleep would come to her once they were through. He said he was ‘well enough’ and the Empress would accept that answer from him.

The conversation moved along, he had found their new residence with relative ease. They weren’t so very far from the islands, though not any closer to Fenmyre lands. She smiled at his answer, but before she could say anything else the words that fell from his lips had her grin dripping away from her now pursed lips. His paw beneath her chin as she assumed he gazed into her sightless eyes. How long had she been blind? Being called out twice in quick succession was quite the blow to her ego, she’d been doing so well in keeping her disability a secret. Maybe she wasn’t quite as skilled as I had thought. At least Chimera posed her no threat, and would be much more of an asset than he realized.

He released some of the tension that had grown within her as he went on, mentioning one of his wives and her pursuit to cure his own half blindness. "Since the beginning of the season.” She answered truthfully, if not with hesitant shame. "I would appreciate her having a look, but none of Ashen’s healers have found any issue with my eyes.” Venom followed up with her doubts as they moved on. Surprisingly as Chimera shifts again to embrace her.

They had never been particularly affectionate with each other, in fact there had been quite a bit of turmoil as their relationship evolved. However, she couldn’t deny the comfort of having her brother’s arms around her slender shoulders. As Chimera held her as he finally admitted the reason he was here at Ashen’s borders. To beg for her help in the aftermath of his near death experience. As if she wouldn’t allow him entrance. She pulled back slightly, unable to see him but pulling back so she could ‘look’ at him out of habit.

"Of course Chimera.” She replied without hesitation. "For as long as you need.” Venom promised, certain that what he said was true, he and his family were welcome within Ashen’s borders. She had room for him and his ladies, but he hadn’t said anything about his offspring. "Who all will be joining you?” She had been planning to seek out the next couple to welcome puppies into Ashen, but adding a family of well trained Kleins was even better.

"Venom"