What had that old man said so many times over? The eyes never lied. And so I wonder what it is that swims within Asriel's as we lock gazes for what seems like an aeon; he is not injured and yet, there is blood. Had he tried to help somebody? Had he picked a fight? I don't suppose it would matter much. He is, after all, my son and a wolf of Glorall, and he will be protected from whatever consequence may be stalking the borders. But for now, I simply give him a slow nod, eyes closed for a moment, as if to thank him for that at least. But when I open them, that is when he speaks once more.

At first, I do not understand. Had he found Moteuh, and had he killed the wolf keeping her? There is almost a sick amusement at the idea - so right Shem had been with all his fretting as a child! All his concern that she had somehow been alive, that we had all failed in finding her. Yet, the truth seeps in slowly, like winter's insidious teeth - no. No. Asriel had killed Moteuh. Broken. Moteuh? Broken. My head gives a small shake and I blink, as if trying to dislodge the idea from my eyes. She had been alive this whole time? Broken but Moteuh. "Who?" It is the only word I can manage for a moment, said between tense teeth, before I continue, "who was keeping her all this time?" For what kind of beast would keep a child from its family? Even if she had been broken...but how broken?

"Show me." The words are sudden. I feel myself twitch, a sudden jerk that straightens my posture. Asriel's eyes are tortured but I am sure mine suddenly glaze over with methodical...distance. Firstly, I must find out who kept her such a secret. Had they broken her? Or had that been Aranck too? Whoever it was, I must make them pay for the life they have taken. Yes, they. Asriel didn't kill her. No, whoever had broken her had killed her. They had made that choice for her.

After all, broken surely meant too weak to live. But I have to be sure. How broken? Moteuh, broken. Hah! In that moment I can already feel the dirt on my paws. Asriel and I will bury a secret today and I find myself wondering how many bodies I will have to bury alongside it. "Son," I try not to think of Zeltzin, and my eyes cannot find a way to leave Asriel, "show me." It should've been me to do it. I could have done it beneath the shadows of the night, kept her safe and far away from Asriel. So I must see. I must understand what had made the decision for him.