She had been about halfway out of Cetus, ready to go and face the first question on her mind when she'd skidded to a halt. She'd completely forgotten the last few things she was going to tell Dragon! She shook her head and immediately turned back, sprinting through the trees and mud, hoping that he was still by the pile that she'd left him and also hoping that he was done talking with the joey by now.

She didn't call out into the swamp, not until she neared the pile of rotting carcasses did she speak. "Dragon?" It wasn't a yell, in case anyone was near, barely louder then speaking voice. She couldn't believe she'd forgotten something so important.

@Dragon

Dragon turned. He was alone, now, in the marsh--the joey had her task, and he had... well, nothing to do now but go back to brooding.

"Ahh," he rumbled. "And here I thought you had forgotten! There you are. You had more to say?" he asked.

He shifted himself a little to face her, the thick scars over his dark hide catching the dim light in glints.

Dragon was curious--what more did the little one have to say?

@Wilder

She sighed with relief and bounced up to the alligator. "Sorry! Yes! I forgot and I can't believe I did! I didn't want to say with Zyros there...it's important!" She paused as a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Was it really wise to be telling Dragon about this? Would he have the same reaction as Pride, to immediately run and look for her and kill her where she stood? Would he tell Pride?

It was too late now, though, to not say it. So she took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "It's about Blackberry...but you can't tell Pride! Or Envy! They can't know. It's really, really important that they don't. Because she's still alive. When they attacked, they tortured her. I don't know what happened, but she was screaming and her cave collapsed onto her. She went into her chrysalis and Pride and Envy thought she was dead. I moved the rubble so she wasn't crushed and when I was on my way to Fornax, I put her there - all the way at the back on the other side of the water." She stopped speaking to catch her breath, feeling a tingling in her paws, anxious for Dragon's reaction to the news.

@Dragon

Dragon listened, silent. When Wilder finished, he rumbled in thought.

Internally, he was displeased. Very displeased. But he spoke calmly, not a trace of displeasure in his voice. He pushed the emotions quickly aside, as well, going to calculation, judgement, what was the best action to take. "It is good that you are telling me, now. But you should not have done this without consulting other groups. Go and tell the Kingdom of Eridanus; tell Rift. They are the ones with whom she began a war. They can decide what to do, for themselves."

He paused, having no tone in his voice--calm, matter-of-fact, unhurried. And then he added--"Now. And do not warn the goose first," he added, wryly.

Now he would see if she truly understood why.

@Wilder

She dipped her head, ears pushed back at Dragon's scold. "Yes, I know. I made a mistake. I won't do that again." Her tail moved gently behind her, anticipation more then anything, as she looked back up, relieved that Dragon was taking it calmly. "I will. I'll let you know what Rift decides to do, if he tells me. And I won't," she added. No more mistakes. She couldn't afford to make any more.

She dipped her head again and turned, bounding away towards the exit again. It seemed her questions would have to wait.

*exit

@Dragon

The alligator watched her, closing his jaws. He wasn't aware that she had more questions--but it didn't matter, much. In a sense, vague, distant, he was pleased.

Yes, she'd been a fool--a naive one, playing games she didn't understand--but in the long run, Dragon saw little consequence. So long as Rift were informed, Dragon doubted that the incident would truly cause a rift--hah--between the groups. The Children hadn't known of the cat's questionable decision, so hopefully the Kingdom would not hold them accountable for it. And the Kingdom of Eridanus was not their closest ally, regardless; if anything, perhaps this act might strengthen their relationship a bit.

It wouldn't affect their link with the Bonebound. Wilder was one of them as much as one of the Children. That being said, he should probably send a messenger to them--and perhaps to the Orion lot, as well. For all Wilder's insistence on who "could" and "couldn't" know, that was not her decision to make. Though Dragon held no real fondness for what he considered the overly-prim and fastidious white stag, at the same time Pride at least seemed earnest enough.

Dragon considered. If I am not wrong, Rift will inform them, regardless--and then it will look as though I hid information from them. I will need to tell them... but a little delay won't hurt a thing.

exit Dragon