Together, We Grow Stronger

The days without Silveris had been painful. As he went on his patrols with Yorrick both Charlie and the fisher felt the emptiness of their third companion. Not hearing her chirps and calls was bizarre; the young male found himself looking around the woods for her whenever he heard a similar call. But no, he realized, it couldn’t be. His father had said he would keep Silveris away for a time, a lesson that was hard, but the yearling understood the importance of it. At least this absence would be temporary, and, in time the shrike would be with them once more. He didn’t doubt his father’s words, and he knew that she would be safe, even if he couldn’t see her. That didn’t make her absence feel any easier though.

But at last, the day his father had promised to return her had approached, and that morning, as Charlie woke, he thought about the lesson his father had put him through. He needed to be mindful during his fights, spars or not. Those he loved could be at risk, he could be at risk, and not taking things seriously would have consequences. He wasn’t a puppy anymore… in that awkward stage between child and adult. He felt ready to take on that responsibility, more so now than when he had first approached his father. A glance around revealed that Yorrick was out, likely hunting for himself. While the Armada had food at the ready the fisher enjoyed fetching food on his own.

Charlie would head toward the obelisk, hoping to meet his father there. He’d look over the stone as he arrived, wind lightly ruffling his tawny fur as he lowered his rump to the ground. His blue gaze was thoughtful, studying the stone that he had seen time and time again. Through the seasons it stood, unchanging, unfaltering no matter what. He would draw in a breath and turn his head, hoping to see the figure of the Warlord and his companion on the horizon.

"Speech," 'Thought.'