Cedarwood Forest rivers and roads

The bitterness sat heavy on his tongue – so acidic Veho almost didn’t recognize it for what it was. Was it Piety he felt so protective of, or was it Rook? He’d promised the frightened woman she would not have to be Piety if she did not wish it, and he fully intended to keep his word. Whatever it was, whatever haunted her, the medic would do his duty to defend her until she felt ready to face her demons on her own. But Hocus’ gentle admonishment caused a small twinge in his expression – would he ever deny his dear @Namid access to her children?

He wasn’t sure he had the heart.

What a poor situation. Shifting uneasily, the subordinate worked his jaw, glancing back at @Rook with a soft chuff. As the white male inched forward, he did not move, tail and head remaining arched as the offer of submission was given to the alpha. An improvement, the gray wolf decided, bobbing his head as he was more or less ignored. (Another reason, truly, that he needed to continue his quest to become the Lyall’s beta, despite his distaste for confrontation.)

“Welcome to Grizzly Hollow,” he exhaled softly, tipping his head to one side. But already Hocus was making demands, and it took another slow breath to keep his hackles settled on his shoulders. Just because the man claimed he wouldn’t start a donnybrook didn’t mean he wouldn’t cause problems among the ranks, he thought sourly. All the same, Merlin pressed his side into his lord’s, ears pressed forward as he studied the elder Lyall’s face. This was not his call to make. “Jaysyek comes and she goes. She will be back, I am sure.” She was a capable woman, and did not require a sitter. The same could not be said for her mate, unfortunately. Lowering his voice, the medic glanced towards his partner. “Borden is…not having a good day,” he emphasized, having seen the man earlier in the morning to drop off some herbs. If Rook still wished to bring his brother along to see their sire, he would leave it in the alpha’s hands – after all, Veho was the medic, was an advisor when he could be, but he was not a son, not here, and this was a family affair.

As Hocus' eyes narrowed, prompting the younger Lyall's face to take on a solemn expression. He had offered his brother to stay, what kind of unkindness was that? At his side Veho shifted, and Rook realized he had been holding onto the accusation for much longer than he needed to. The only inconsideration that had been dealt out was to assume that Hocus meant any harm to his daughter. Having lived beneath Borden's deteriorating state of mind had Rook's mindset guarded and ever-watchful. For Piety to suffer anything more was to be yet another burden he - or they - would carry.

What suspicions and well-guarded thoughts had taken root were ebbed away as Hocus drew forward to offer his submission and willingness to abide by what had initially been offered. A promise to do no harm and not cause anymore unrest beneath the cedars of Grizzly Hollow. As Merlin relayed his own sort of welcome, Rook nodded, concurring with what had been said about Jaysyek. "Mom kind of needs her space right now," he added, "She hasn't taken to Dad's illness very well. Every day is something of a battle."

His lips drew into a tight-lipped smile, hoping Hocus would understand. Before the young Leader could offer to take his brother to Borden, Merlin interjected, which was probably for the best. "Borden is…not having a good day." One of those dark bear-like ears swiveled to one side in something of a partial apology. "Mornings, lately, have been a hit or miss. Afternoon hours get progressively worse. He, too, comes and goes, but his plight is that he doesn't go anywhere."

There was a trace of a wistful smile on his face now with his whiskered brows angled upward. "Come," he invited both his significant other and his older sibling. "We've moved den sites recently and I can take you to it from the old bear den. If Borden's awake, you can visit if he doesn't mind." Whether Merlin wanted to stick around to watch their new recruit was up to him and, either way, Rook was not going to stop him; they could catch up at a later time when it felt like the world did not have eyes on the both of them. "Otherwise, since I trust you already know the lay of the land, you're welcome to seek Piety out. If you need anything, just let me know."

(Fade.)

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.