The snow may have melted down in the Edens, but the mountain was still frozen solid, and as the witch’s body too had cooled, they were more than happy to return to the peak. Except the summit was not only cold, but abandoned, barely a trace left of the wolves who had vowed to fortify it. Of course, Apolline too had been gone for a full cycle of the moon, chasing visions with nothing to show for it, so they could hardly blame their other supposed pack mates. Still, it felt wrong to see the mountain unprotected; Never again! Whatever The God had planned, it would find the One-eyed Prophet here.

But the rest of the chosen? Were any even nearby? And were they still willing to pledge their allegiance, even without their leader? Apolline did not know, but they needed to find out; We have waited long enough! Whatever had called Paeryl away, however important of a task The God had for him, they still had a mission here, and they would carry it out, alone if they had to!

Turning from the desolate peak, Apolline spied another spike nearby, one they hadn’t seen before. Curious, they headed south towards the tower, but stopped in the slight valley between the two, where they we sheltered from the frigid winds whipping around the pinnacle. Here, they raised their head, letting out a long, powerful howl, calling to their comrades. It was not a command, not even a beckon really, more of a question; Are you still in?

Thoughts ”Speech”