His morning had been spent like any other – his trek across the borders had proven to be uneventful, which, in truth, was how he preferred it. He had quickly run into Inkheart, who had briefed him upon his own findings, which had once more been nothing much of note. Otherwise, Magnolia Glen remained silent, and as he trailed along a path that lead him to the den, he found himself revelling in the quiet. Autumn was certainly upon them – some of the trees had already changed to a beautiful hue, and some had already shed their leaves. More would follow suit, and each day he knew would become colder and colder, until the drizzle and rain would turn to flurries and snow. He was curious to how Kyros and Hypatia would react to such a season – he recalled as a cub, he and his brothers had romped in the snow endlessly, never tiring of the games. Perhaps he would show his children how to build a makeshift snow den.


Of course, his thoughts usually drifted to his progeny, but as he came upon the sight of the den, he noted the small figure of his ivory son. Kyros sat, seemingly lost in thought, and while Phineas could not read the boys emotions fully, he sensed the young Argyris was distraught somehow. Ushering a low bark to gather the attention of his only boy, a small smile looped itself on his muzzle as he padded closer, greeting Kyros with a nudge to the crown of his head. “What’re you up to now?”

His eyes swept over his son -- his gaze always managed to avoid looking at the stump that had not produced fully in to a leg. Perhaps had he not stressed Borlla so during her pregnancy with a journey over the mountain, the boy would not have such an ailment. And yet perhaps this was what fate had intended one way or another -- he was unsure, and yet the only true terror he held for Kyros was not in his doubt for survival.. but his doubt for how the boy would find himself as he grew older. Magnolia Glen would always be a home for his son, and it would be unlikely he would survive on his own, or be accepted to another pack.. whether this would be a hindrance or a blessing to the youth would remain to be seen.


Kyros' explanation drew amusement to the leader. Most of what either of his cubs said would usually stir entertainment in his soul, but there was something so innocently stated in the ivory cub's statement that captivated Phineas. They were so new to the world and he had so much to teach them. "They will be back," he assured his son, his eyes drifting away to the scattered leaves that now adorned the ground of their home. "Come spring, the trees will flourish once more." He paused momentarily and he moved over to a small leaf pile, lowering his muzzle to nose at the tattered and torn remnants. Once a bright hue of auburns and yellows, they seemed to turn brown once fallen. "The change of seasons is always welcome to the wolf," he offered, a glint of amusement flickering in his gaze as he turned to look back at his son.


With a nod of his muzzle, the man began to lope away from the boy, hoping to lead him in to the colored foliage. He would explain the many seasons of life to his son, and he could only hope Kyros would grasp the severity some of them held.. especially the winter.