The anger was a slow burn as it nibbled up his spine. It tingled as it expanded, a murderous bubble, consuming his heart and mind. His eyes narrow with rage as quivers rake his bodice. She was gone. It couldn’t be, she was needed…Dragonfly needed her. Paws slice into the snow, with each step it turns to mush and then into loamy earth as if the mountain itself wept for her. How long had he spent envious of that royal family? How long had he trailed behind the masked warrior who haunted his every moment? Who he worked for each and every day; and he had succeeded. He had returned with better control of his anger, of his turbulent emotions…or so he thought. A stinging sensation burns within his eyes as lips curl up; one thing is for certain: she will pay. This destroyer of families will fall beneath his claws and fangs. He will avenge this death for her, for his Dragonfly.

Scenery flashes by and it is not until he is within the riverside that he slows. He is panting, the summer heat beating upon his multicolored pelt. Yet, something else urges him forward, that stirs his blood to boil. He can barely contain it as his wild eyes dart here and there, chest heaving with emotion without a name to it. Was it grief? He knew envy, grief, and impossible anger, but this feeling that suffocated him, that choked him…was it grief? Was he mourning the loss of something great?; something that had mothered Flame? Finally it pushes its way up in the form of a savage howl. It screamed his sorrow in wavering notes of agony before solidifying in one long yet sharp note of pure unadulterated furor. Just as it dies within his raw throat he sings again, this one a promise of retribution, his notes clear and strong as it rings out through the land. He knows that only two would recognize his tone, his voice, and he wonders if they would find him; if they too wished for the blood of this interloper spilt.

Another moment passes, yet still he can hear nothing but the silence that has descended upon his immediate area, no doubt in response to his emotional outburst. Eyes slide shut as he heaves in a raking breath before lowering his body in one last reverent bow to the mountain, to its fallen mistress, before loping through the coniferous sentries. They seem to eye him with solemn eyes as he begins his mission, if none stopped him, he will make his way toward the valley, over the river, and then on toward Diveen. There he will train and when the time is right, when he is sure of his abilities, he will rise to battle. It is all that he can do to avenger her, to appease his Dragonfly. So stupid…he should have been there.