It had been many months since Halcyon had been back in Iromar. The lad had been busy trying to accomplish Athine’s tasks and become her first Elite Guard and though two of the three tasks had been finished, he ran back to the swamps now. He would finish the final task when Elohim came to Iromar but for now, there was something far more urgent he needed to tell the Empress and it could not wait. His heart hammered in his chest as he legs pushed him further and further into the swamp. The gallop from Mecor Valley had been long but he hadn’t stopped. His lungs were on fire and his legs wanted him to stop, but he just couldn’t what he had seen had caused him such fear and pain he wanted to be safe. Though he was growing, Halcyon was still a child and he needed to feel some sort of protection. Though she would never replace his Rhae, Athine had become a sort of guardian figure. It was her he sought now. When he left the valley, the sky was dark as the night chilled the world. When he entered Iromar, the sun was only just starting to rise over the eastern mountains.

At long last, he stopped and collapsed on the muddy ground. Gasping for air and trembling from the adrenaline, Halcyon could barely move as he tried to regain his strength. The memories of the events that just took place rattled him to his core and it took all he had to hold back the angry sobs. She had been there. Right there!! So close and yet so very far away. Jaidah, his parents murderer. The only thing that had saved her this night was the gigantic brute who had stolen the life of a child so easily. He might be a brash youth, but if training with Malum had taught him anything, it was never attack anything that was bigger than you alone. There was nothing he could do for the unfortunate pup who had been eaten by the monsters. Tears began to form in his eyes again and he couldn’t blink them back. After several minutes, Halcyon felt he could move again and he got to his paws, though his body still trembled violently.

Hoping she was awake, the lost prince moved to her den and sat outside. For a moment, he hesitated as he wondered if it was okay to wake her up. Was this something important enough to mention to the alpha or would she consider it a waste of time. He made his chose and poked his nose through the hole and gave a small whimper. ”Your Highness, it’s Halcyon. I’m sorry to wake you, but I have some urgent news to report.” Then, he took a step back and waited. Now that he had a moment to think, he wasn’t even sure if she was in her den but it was a good place to start. If not, he would go find her and report what he had seen. Iromar would be the first pack to know of the dangerous Mars and know of the crime he committed only a few hours ago.