Hackles rose suddenly as a presence he sensed rather than saw grew closer. The smell was full of fear and panic, like a harsh tang in the back of his throat. Brown eyes turned just in time to see Pine running towards him. At once, his hackles lowered and a soft wag came to his tail, but it didn’t last long. Something was wrong as he saw the Elite Guard almost stumble into him, her eyes wide and her breath coming in frantic gasps. The wag ceased and a look of concern grew on his face that quickly turned to horror at the sight of blood on her face. "Pine! Are you alright? What’s happened?"

She spoke in a rushed voice, but the message had been received. A deep growl rose in his chest that oozed from his lips as his gazed turned towards the swamp. How could Iromar have fallen? That was impossible! Athine and Praetor were still in charge. No wolf could have dared challenge for the moors while they ruled. Never in his life had another come to claim the land, it just never happened. The only way it could have fallen is if Athine had… Halcyon took a step towards the pack lands, another growl in his mouth, but Pine’s voice made him stop. Turning, he looked at her, his eyes wide with worry. "Aster is lost? Is she still there?" His heart hammered in his chest at the thought of the princess being held prisoner by a murderous tyrant.

Seeing the other guard calm, the russet wolf took a deep breath and allowed himself to think more clearly. Running blindly into the pack land would be unwise and he couldn’t help Aster if he were caught himself or worse. "I will help, Pine, don’t worry. Ask, and I will do what I can to help. But please, tell me, who are you afraid of? Who has done this to our home?" For a moment, Halcyon forgot he was not a member of Iromar any longer. He was still family with the young guard and today they had both lost something very important. One day, they would get it back and he would be there, standing by Pine’s side, in the fight that would surely come. For now, he waited for the younger wolf to further explain the situation and give him any plans she needed him to carry out. But mostly, he waited for a name. The name of the wolf who dared to bring the end of the might empire that Athine had created. The traitorous king would pay for his crimes.