It didn’t feel right leaving the prince behind, but Halcyon knew there was not much they could do to help Lazarus. He had always been a sickly wolf and a long, rushed journey from the safety of the pack land could possibly kill him. But he was a smart cub. He would know how to keep himself safe until the true ruler of Iromar returned to take back the throne. Until then, Halcyon would watch over Aster and keep her safe. Even now, he watched her eat like a stone guardian. Of most wolves, he could understand her feelings as she gobbled the food her body desperately needed but her mind wanted nothing to do with. It was a strange sensation and it was all he could do to comfort her as she suffered through it.

Silent as the grave, he gave her his full attention as she recounted the incident. When she spoke of bison’s his ears fell flat and it was all he could do to keep a growl from escaping his throat. He knew the danger of those mighty beasts. Iblis had told him they had been the reason Aurai had lost her own parents when he and Rhae had taken over Asteraia. They were monsters full of rage and hate. The pain is clear in her voice as she spoke and he whimpered softly and licked her cheek gently. Only when she finished did he sigh and rest his chin on her head as she leaned into him.

For a long time, nothing was said. The quiet night stretched on as the two shared a moment together. Only when he was sure the time was right for him to speak did he move to gaze directly into her eyes. "Aster, I am so sorry. The pain you feel will not go away anytime soon and you will blame yourself, no matter what anyone says. But it’s not your fault. There was nothing you or Praetor could have done to stop the rage of one of those beasts. Your father was a good wolf and he loved you dearly. Any parent would put their life on the line for their child and he was no different." He spoke the words with a wisdom, sadly, beyond his years.

He was about to say more, but his ears caught the sound of someone approaching. Rising to his paws, Halcyon let out a warning growl. He wasn’t sure if he had been a wolf from Iromar coming for Aster and if it was, heaven help them. His fangs would not stop until either they were dead or he was. But the figure that approached was a familiar face. Elohim had come for the princess…