Slowly but surely, Maksim Baranski was recovering. His sickness had left him den ridden for some time, his joints aching as he moved and his stomach refusing to keep most foods down for the first days. Thankfully, he had someone to rely on, to keep things in check whilst he rested: @Lachesis. The boy had made leaps and bounds since the agouti wolf had first met him, his confidence growing more and more. His knowledge, too. The agouti wolf was pleased that the ghostly lad was willing to help however possible, that he was content to take the role of leader in Maksim's state of weakness, until he was fit to rule once more. The Baranski owed him a lot, that much was certain.

Gingerly, he tested his muscles and bones. Standing, he pawed at the ground for a moment before he crept forwards, slinking from the confines of the earthy burrow beneath the rocks. Sunlight hit him and he immediately inhaled, the cold air crisp and fresh against the back of his mouth. He shook his pelt and dust began flying from the dark hairs of his coat, like the wolf was a fungus that had just released its spores.

He was a bit scruffier than usual, lacking its usual sheen. He hadn't been focused on grooming himself (though, @Kisla occasionally helped where she could) as it hadn't really been a thing of importance at the time. Rolling his shoulders, Maksim gave a gruff woof, letting anyone nearby know that he was actually up and walking around now.

Though, he hadn't quite realised someone had been watching him for a long time now …

The agouti male stretched, mouth opening wide as he yawned. Yellowed teeth displayed against his salmon hued tongue that curved as tired air rushed from his lungs. His jaw snapped shut and his body straightened—it felt good to be in a wide, open space again. He was intending to travel on down to the riverside, to quench his thirst, and yet the call of one of his children altered his immediate plans. Turning his head, Maksim watched as his first born heir rather ungraciously drew up to his father and delivered several kisses to his creamy chin.

His tail wagged at Aleksei, his head craning down to run his tongue across his son's crown affectionately. “Hello, my little lord,” he cooed at his boy. By the stars, he was growing quickly wasn't he? Maksim did not doubt that he'd grow to be possibly taller than him. It was in his genes, after all—most Baranski wolves were enormous. He wasn't too sure about the Tainn's heritage in size, however he cared little in the long run. His children would be perfect, regardless of size.

Kisla had, of course, told their children of their father's state and the agouti wolf knew he would have to answer the questions of “what was wrong” and “are you okay now”. He hummed as he nudged behind his son's ear to soothe his anxiety. “I hurt my leg is all. Nothing to worry about, my son. Your pa is all better now.”

The elk snorted as he watched the wolf slink through the grass. How dare this lone killer peruse his females and children, as if they were ripe for the picking! Lowering his head, he pawed at the ground with his cloven hoof. Elk could play games, too. He kept his brown eyes trained on the predator as he chewed idly at the grasses. He would wait 'til the wolf came too close and then … he charged, suddenly, catching the mutt by surprise. All it took was a flick of his head, a twist of his neck, and the wolf was sent rolling with a satisfying yelp.

Maksim looked down at Aleksei with a gentle smile. He didn't need to know that his father had been injured whilst scouting for prey that had wandered to the borders. “Come now, son, would you walk with your father to the shallows?” The pale lad was quick to accept and, together, father and child meandered to their destination. “Have you been helping your mother whilst I've been resting, like I told you?” The amount of times he had spied Alek peering into the den could not be counted. Very rarely, he would wake up and the boy would be napping by his side, head resting on his father's shoulder. Maksim never roused him, though. No, he simply went back to sleep. If the boy needed reassurance or safety … well, as a father—his father—Maksim would give it.