The Silence Between

The boy's sudden outpouring of pain and grief wasn't completely unexpected. She'd been around death and violence her whole life, but her time as a mercenary had brought her into contact with all sorts of wolves, and more than once had she been privy to wolves experiencing the shock of loss for the first time. She stood silent and still, letting him speak without interruption, until he finally tapered to a halt. Pacing forward she seated herself by the taller male's side. Leaning down she pressed her cheek against Sigmarr's forehead a moment, before lifting her head to stare at Kassander. "He wasn't a child, Kassander. He made his choices, as you made yours - you are not to blame for what happened tonight. He died a good death. He will feast with Odinn this night." She brushed her nose against his shoulder with quiet sympathy. "Grief is wasted on the dead, Kassander. They have no need of it, and your brother would not thank you for blaming yourself."