The wolf from Iromar was certainly mysterious but he didn't find himself suspicious of Jackdaw in the slightest. Sure, he wasn't very forthcoming with all information but he was probably a spy of sorts for the pack so that was to be expected. That's who they would send out to search for children of the late alpha, right? The first moment he found himself distrusting the wolf at his word would be the first moment he would be sending him right back out of Taviora but until then, the wolf deserved to see if the boy was the one he was looking for. He was curious of the new alpha of Iromar and wondered what it was like for them to be ruled by a young wolf just as Taviora was. Were they taking it as well? He wanted to ask but figured that wasn't a subject Jackdaw would want to talk about. He was here on a mission and he was focused if nothing else. When the boy arrived, Dexter turned to see Jackdaw's expression. He seemed shocked if nothing else but there was something like recognition in his eyes. So maybe he already saw Aranck in the boy. Guess that means his mission was a success. He gave the boy a smile and Dexter took heart from this, hoping it was a sign that Jackdaw was a good guy in all respects and really meant the boy no harm.

He listened as Jackdaw spoke to the boy, offering apologies from his alpha. Dexter tilted his head some in curiosity. He wondered what kind of upbringing they must have had with Aranck. He sounds like he was a horrible father. Jackdaw let the boy know that Pine meant no harm toward him or his siblings and asked for his name. Dexter wondered if the boy even knew he had other siblings besides the sister he was so worried about. When Jackdaw glanced at him, Dexter gave him a short nod to let him know everything was fine. He didn't know if Jackdaw was asking if what he'd said was okay or what but he wanted him to know that he was doing just fine. Meanwhile the boy looked overwhelmed and he couldn't seem to stop staring at the skull Dexter had brought. He felt bad for a moment, wondering if it was indeed the sister he had been sent to look for. He would feel horrible knowing this was how he had delivered the news but somehow he had to know either way. The boy finally slumped over where he was, suddenly looking much older and exhausted. Dexter's ears flicked back in sympathy for the boy, wishing he knew how to help him through this. Then the boy said that it was a sister. Dexter tilted his head, somehow understanding that he didn't say "this is MY sister" or "this is THE sister." So perhaps another?

When Jackdaw mentioned Aranck, Dexter saw the boy's facial expression stiffen. There were painful memories there and he scowled thoughtfully, wishing he knew how to help with these situations. Then the boy confirmed that he was Aranck's son. He said his name was Zharko and Dexter felt a little better. At least now he could think of him as someone other than the boy. He was sure somehow that the growl wasn't meant for them but rather Zharko having to admit who his father was. There was almost a hatred in his eyes when he said the wolf's name and Dexter felt sympathy for him once again. When Jackdaw mentioned younger siblings, Zharko's breath seemed to catch and Dexter's ears flicked. So maybe he didn't know about them. Dexter gave Zharko time to process everything, watching him patiently and when the younger wolf stepped forward, he looked more ready to talk. He looked at the skull first and told them that she wasn't the sister Dexter was looking for. She was going to hurt his sister. Dexter scowled. So the plot thickens. Now Dexter wondered what had happened to the dead skull at his paws and somehow he figured Zharko might have something to do with it since he didn't look surprised at all that she was dead.

He thought back to the guilt that seemed to wash over Zharko's features before when they were talking about his missing sister. Could this be another piece in that puzzle? But now was not the time. At least not yet. Zharko was on a mission now, stepping to Jackdaw to tell him he wanted to meet his siblings. And yet Dexter knew his own mission wasn't finished yet. He couldn't leave this unfinished. He had promised Zharko he would help and he would keep his word. He glanced at Jackdaw first, sure that the wolf would be more than happy to take Zharko back to Iromar and introduce him to the other children of Aranck. But first, Dexter needed a little more information. He looked at Zharko.

"I want to continue to look for your sister. I told you I would find her and I intend to do that. Can I have her name so I'll have something to go on? You say she was going to hurt your littermate. Did she say anything else? Did she say a place where she might take her? Anything you have would be helpful."

He didn't want to overwhelm the boy but he wanted to help more than anything. While Zharko was meeting his other siblings and going back home, he could be doing his due diligence and helping to find the lost sister. It would be a reward in itself to reunite her with her worried brother.