Drooping Willows I got your six while you're working votes

Addy had given them to night to prepare before heading out toward the Scowle early in the morning. They had no time to waste in spreading the word about their lost siblings, and even though Ragnar, who seemed to be taking after his parents’ heights, was already taller than her he was still a pup and hadn’t acquired the stamina she had in her nearly two years of life. Their going would be slower, if only by a day or so. Truthfully, if she’d been more generous she might have even allowed them two days. But time was of the essence.

Still, she needed to make time for one stop. Half a day into their travels she’d told @’Ragnar’ to stop and do a little scouting. See if he could find any signs of the wayward Archer siblings. She hadn’t lied to him in admitting that she was going to see a friend, but she’d made sure to let him know that she wouldn’t be gone long and that she’d pass along the information to him. So, the girl made quick travel to the area she knew the dark Kael-Santoro frequented as of late. One she was in the area, she tilted her head back and let out a howl. She didn’t have time to seek him out, and while her howl held no panic it was sharp, clear, and to the point. The matter was urgent, and she didn’t have time to dawdle.

He continued to hover close to the willows but made sure to remain a respectful distance away from the borders. Sven and Ravenna had always been courteous to him, and had even allowed him entry into their territory, so Cyril did not want to test his luck. Occasionally he would leave a meal at the edge of their territory as a thank you for letting him linger so close. Sometimes he liked to think of himself as their outside bodyguard; the first round of defence. It was an excuse to stay close to Adeltra (and keep an eye on her). She was the only reason he had not left with his mother and brother. The one thing that kept him tied to the land.

Despite his need to stay close to her he had not sought refuge among the ranks of the Ridge wolves. He did not know if his older half-brother would welcome him into the pack. But that was not the only thing holding him back. He did not know if the south—more specifically Willow Ridge—was where he belonged. There was still more to see in the Lore. More forests left unexplored. Mountains that needed to be climbed. Rivers and lakes that needed to be swam in.

But he was still here. Answering her call with frantic steps and his heart in the back of his throat.

He couldn’t leave just yet. He was not finished in the south.

Del? He called as he peered around a slender tree trunk, his brows tight with concern as he padded toward her. Her expression was as serious as her call. Something was up.

Thankfully, her dark friend was quick to answer her call. Her appeared from around a tree trunk, his expression making it clear that he understood her urgency. But, she didn’t want to worry him that much. She stepped forward to greet him, pressing her nose to the place that connected his jaw to his neck and breathing in his scent to calm her own nerves. After a moment, she stepped back. Her expression still said business, but she was more relaxed.

I came to let you know that I’ll be gone for a little while. Probably a little over two weeks. Sven assigned me a scouting mission, she said, getting straight to the point. Ragnar was waiting for her, she needed to get back to him.

He welcomed her embrace and returned it with one of his own, his nose touching her cheek briefly before he pulled away to study her subdued expression. Whatever the reason was behind her call Cyril knew that it was important—as most things with Adeltra were. And, as expected, his friend got to the point almost immediately. She announced that she would be leaving the Ridge for awhile—a scouting mission. His ears twitched as his head cocked slightly to one side, his expression narrowing as he tried to decipher her expression. A scouting mission? He blinked as his head tilted to the opposite side, for what? He knew he was delaying her but he did not care. He was curious as to where she was going. What she was doing. If she needed his assistance. His paws had healed since his trek to the south and craved a change of scenery despite his reluctance to leave the willows. She kept him tied to the south; where she went so would he. If she would allow it, of course.

There was almost nothing that she forgot about Cyril Kael-Santoro, but one of them was consistently that he was Sven’s half-brother. Which, really should have made her feel weirder than it did. But, that was just the way the cookie crumbled she supposed. But, it was him asking why that made her remember this little fact. This little fact that made her remember that her adoptive siblings were also his niece and nephew. She needed to tell him, which she was going to do anyways but even more so than ever now.

Sven’s pups are missing. Have been for a little over a week and it’s been running them both ragged. He sent me off to go to a few of our allies and spread the word, ask ‘em to keep their eyes and ears open. she replied. Of course, she’d also been very worried but they weren’t her pups. She couldn’t imagine what they were going through.

He blinked at her response, allowing the words to sink in as he digested them. Cyril had forgotten that his older half-brother had had cubs. Huh. His mother did not even know that she was a grandmother. Maybe that was a good thing—he knew it would make Piety feel older than she was. Wait… that meant that these cubs—these missing cubs—were related to him. He blinked once more, probably reacting far too slow for the girl on a mission, but it was a lot of news to take in. Especially for a wolf who had done well in isolating himself from others. Shit, he finally managed, the curse rolling off his tongue with ease as his ears flickered back against his crown. Do you… do you need help? He frowned. I’m not a Ridge wolf, but all I’m doing is lurking around the willows. Might as well be some help. It was the least he could do since the willow wolves had not chased him away from their borders yet. Although he only really wanted to accompany her to ensure that she was alright. Cyril did not like the idea of not being able to see her for a few weeks, even though he knew it was for good reason.

She could see the gears turning in his brain, see him processing the information. In fact, she could see the exact moment he put the information together, completed with an expletive. She would have laughed if she didn’t have more respect for him. Then, he asked something she hadn’t thought of. If he could join them. She blinked, brows shooting up. Why hadn’t she thought of that?

Of course. I’d love to have you with us, she replied, forgetting the fact that she hadn’t told him yet that she was also traveling with Ragnar.

A small smile cracked his stoic features as she agreed to his assistance. Even if she had denied his help he would have invited himself anyway—he had nothing else better to do other than be a nuisance to the Ridge wolves. Plus, it was an excuse to spend more time with Adeltra despite the grim circumstances. Good, he responded quickly as he bumped his nose to hers, because I was going to follow you regardless. But his tail had twitched at the last word to roll off her tongue. Us? She already had a scouting partner? Who else is joining us? His tone remained neutral, curious, as he studied her expression. Maybe he was a little offended that she had not sought him out first but he understood why. Cyril was not a Ridge wolf. These were not his missing packmates. He was still a loner, observing from the outside. He did not need to be out searching for missing pack wolves but he knew it would help Adeltra… and that was all that mattered.

And returning the cubs to his half-brother, of course.

He bumped his nose to hers, letting her know that he’d have come regardless of her reply. She rolled her honeyed-amber gaze, attempting to mask that pesky fluttering she felt in her chest as of late. She really did need to get that checked out. Even if he had come along, she wouldn’t have had the heart to truly deny him and make him turn back. She wouldn’t have left him alone, which was the reason why she had sought him out in the first place. He had stayed for her. She was going to try her best to make it worth his while.

He inquired about who was joining them, a neutral mask quickly slipping over his features and she grinned. Ah, now was her chance for payback. Oh, you know. Tall, blonde, handsome. Quite the personality too, really, she replied with a little twitch of her tail. After a moment, she continued, Most Archers are like that, though. I’ve made sure to give my adoptive little brother all of my best qualities, she finished cheekily. Let’s see how he liked being the one who was being teased.