Like my heart longs for an ocean

A quick hunt in the creek offered him the space to step into his new role. Eltrys had caught a small vole skittering onto the ice seeking melted water. It was just as confused as him about this intense winter spell.

His talk with Saga was a momentous one. One he had a feeling would come to him one day, though he was surprised it had been so soon. He hoped to let the news permeate the others before he intended to call them all in with the surprise. Perhaps he could meet with each member and listen to their grievances, soothe their worries, inspire their trust...

The vole was clenched in his teeth as he softly approached the falls and the entrance toward Haydee's den. He had never been inside. He didn't know how large it was within. He didn't know if the hanging stalactites had met their stalagmites. He didn't know how stable the cavern would be.

He made his common greeting chuff. The one he made when he wanted her to come out and they could talk. He waited for a few beats, the sounds of the falls crashing beside him. He wuffed louder around the vole in his teeth and waited another moment.

Concern creased his brow as the entrance remained empty. No sound or shuffle gave him comfort to know she was coming. Nothing. His heart dropped in his stomach and threatened to drop out of his chest entirely at the thought of leaving her alone at a crucial moment. His breathing shallowed, shuddering as he looked at the top of the den entrance, his toes frozen to the earth.

He had to go inside. He had to know she was okay. He lifted a foot but found himself pushed back by his own fear of the crushing cavernous stalactites, sharp and deadly hanging from high ceilings. He drew in a trembling breath, he didn't know if there were dangerous stalactites even in there, some caves didn't have them. He caught a scent that wafted over his nose and urged him further. Sickness. Infection! Haydee!

The urge to find her overwhelmed him and pulled him into the den! The scent of sickness and infection hit him like a wall. He threw the vole aside and rushed to her crumpled form.

"Haydee!" Her small frame was so frail and fragile, tiny compared to him.


"Speech!"