He held his stance, gesturing for her to follow after Ice and that he would take up the rear, just as he had during the trek up the mountainside. He gave her a nod, his eyes trailing Ice's footsteps in the snow until he could just make out the man's figure through the trees. He took a deep breath, half-lidded eyes staring downward as he thought of what to say, what to do... if Ice and Jessie could not find the words to inform the pack that their youngest member was lost. Murdered by unruly souls...
A loud sniff made his nostrils twitch and he swallowed as he gazed upon Rissa's body one last time. He would not remember her as she laid still in the snow, marred and disfigured from her tormentor's doings. No. Rissa Tainn was the younger sister he had always wanted, even if he had doubted her arrival at first. She had been full of life, confident, and eager to live to her full potential. She had been one of the many reasons why Fenru was here... and he had failed to protect, teach, watch over, fully love her and bond with her as an only an older brother could. Like Prosper before her, this instance of finding would become a mere memory in the months to come, but the Tainn was determined this time that he would not allow fear or worry to overcome him. Rissa might have been lost and Torrel might have also been abducted, but Aiyana still remained. As long as he lived and breathed, he promised himself that he would see her to her yearling days and beyond... if the first steps home could only be taken.
As soon as Jessie started to make her way homeward, Fenru Tainn would follow. Skull held aloft and his body moving as readily as it was able, he, too, began to make his way back to Sacred Grove. I'm sorry, Rissa, he murmured in his head, his muzzle dipping downward momentarily as he walked along. I'm sorry; but I promise you now that this will never... ever... happen again.
Taekwondo (M, W, F) | Rapid-Response Day (Tu) | WoW Nights (F, Sat, Sun)