Like Thunder: Solution to War(Chapt.2)

[Lydair]

A shroud of darkness had enveloped the den-camp of Tuari; the full moon glowed and faint smatterings of stars dusted the black sky. The ground glinted, wet with dew and old blood, and the dirt was tinged pink. Memories of the tattered fight still clung around Tuari. Braeden pack had left Tuari terra; paw prints, embedded in the wetness of the ground, gave evidence of their whereabouts.
Kaori lay beneath her tree; branches spilled around her; soft leaves prodded gently at her fur, like wisps from the teasing light of the moon. Her mind reeled with recollections from the battles of the afternoon. Hate for Vought seemed to fill her veins, as if her very blood had become a seething liquid that threatened to burst through her. She remembered the Zoharnian warrior that she so quickly killed- his eyes so very much like her own- had at one time meant the world to the proud, fiery female. The young white she-wolf gently sighed and closed her eyes, but rampant thoughts of battle and the terrifying truth of an alliance between their enemies refused her sleep.
Shaking her head she smiled as she swerved her head to watch the alpha’s den: Diallo and Tiergan crouched beside the Alpha. Worried whispers prickled in her ears; her brow furrowed and she stood up, ears twitching.
The cave- Braun’s den- was nearly filled as Kaori came in, brushing past Diallo to take her place between Braun and Tiergan.
“Thank you so much for inviting me.” Kaori grumbled, scowling at Braun. The alpha held her glare steadily before snorting and going back to his talk with the males.
“What will happen now?” Diallo’s light voice piped in Braun, Tiergan, and Kaori’s ears. “Surely Moloth and Vought will attack again.”
“Vought is no more than a pawn to Moloth.” Tiergan growled. “But a strong pawn, none-the-less.”
“There was something about the way he attacked….” Kaori said softly, glancing up at Tiergan before her gaze shifted to Braun. “Moloth and Vought must have known when to attack Braeden…and then when to attack Tuari. It was after we left, after the camp held few warriors.” Braun and Tiergan nodded; Diallo shifted uncomfortably and looked down. The glowing, ember-like eyes of Moloth were still branded in his vision.
Braun’s gaze burned into the back of the cave as thoughts rippled through his tired mind. So much had happened in so little time…two of his own warriors dead, threatening alliances…the Alpha shook his head gently. Diallo stepped forward, looking at his brother with uncertainty.
“Braun…we have to do more than fume. I-“
“I know.” Braun’s voice, short and flat, was directed at the wolves in his presence. “Go back to your dens. I will talk to Tuari when Tsar has risen.” Kaori flattened her ears and glanced at Tiergan, who offered her a soft smile. Diallo whined softly. Braun turned away from the wolves, his face grim and taunt.
Tiergan sighed and nudged Kaori before trotting out of the mouth of the cave; the female slowly followed Tiergan. Glancing back over her shoulder, her eyes met the weary ones of her Alpha. Tears welled in her eyes- it seemed that, for once, her Alpha didn’t know what to do.

Kaori lay down beneath the protective cover of her towering evergreen; Tiergan slid beside her and Diallo sat across from the white wolves, his blue eyes a sharp contrast to the black, tan, and white of his face.
“Moloth will come back, won’t he?” Diallo’s voice sounded from deep within the cave. “He’ll come back with more warriors.” Tiergan nodded silently, and Kaori’s hazel eyes held the answer.
“Will they ever stop?” he mumbled, shuddering.
“When Tuari has proved that we will not be defeated,” Tiergan turned and peered into the darkness- the brown form of the younger male made visible, “When Moloth finally sees that truth and loyalty surpasses evil, and that we can endure, his forces will cease.” Kaori pushed against the white side of her much larger companion.
“We’re going to wait, and find out what Braun has planned.” Her voice was soft but firm. “Wait and hope that we have Tsar and Suki with us.”
“Tsar and Suki.” Diallo scoffed and rustled around as he made himself comfortable in the pitch-black. Tiergan merely looked at Kaori and shook his head- Diallo needed to have faith in the Wolven gods, not chide them. Braun’s younger brother was the alpha’s opposite- light-hearted and playful. Years of hard work, and the toils of leadership had caused Braun to mature beyond his years in just several seasons. Tiergan felt closer to Braun than he did Diallo-- usually quiet, the white giant easily intimidated most other canines upon first view, for his monstrous size was nothing to be blinked away. Tiergan was said to be the most honorable wolf in Tuari- gentle and kind to his pack members, and loyal, but ruthless in his fighting, however merciful he was.
Kaori was vague and mysterious to the members of Tuari. Braun was like her brother; since he accepted her into his pack when she was a helpless pup of Zohar she allotted him as her duty and worked recklessly with Diallo, Tiergan, Bandelle and Torstan to protect and aid him.



The morning dawned bright; trees gently swayed in a balmy breeze as the sun beat down on the wolves. Braun stepped from his den; from beneath her tree, Kaori did as well; Tiergan and Diallo each emerged from their separate dens and followed the Alpha and the small white warrior. From the shade of a nearby den, several small ears perked and whispers began climbing on the wind, as anxious puppies tried to decide what Braun would say. Kaori frowned, but Diallo flashed a lop-sided grin to the row of pups. Nodding to the young wolves, the blue-eyed wolf motioned for them to join.
Excited yips filled the silence as six puppies scrambled to Diallo’s side. Braun sighed with annoyance. Kaori’s mouth upturned into a small, understanding smile as the puppies leaned in close to hear Diallo’s words and tales. Tiergan and Kaori both shifted their positions so they could better hear the soft chattering that Diallo spoke, enticing the puppies as well as the adults. Bandelle, as well as Torstan and Braun, unsuccessfully tried to hide their curiosity, even though they had all heard the stories before.
“And as the giant shadow loomed over the small band of wolves, a great, horrifying, terrible, black wolf stepped from the desolate darkness. His eyes burned orange, glowing…you could just barely hear his raspy cackle as he leaned in closer to….” Diallo’s eyes gleamed playfully and he leaned back as the puppies, eyes wide, leaned forward. The silence grew, and small bodies wriggled with uncertainty and a fierce adrenaline of fear.
“To what?” a voice piped. Diallo’s head craned slightly; he winked at Tiergan, Braun, and Kaori.
“…To eat you alive!” Diallo yelled, leaping forward into the group of puppies. Yelps seared through the clearing as the young wolves exploded into a mass of churning legs and wide eyes. Diallo reeled back, shaking with laughter. Kaori’s face burst into a grin and she chuckled; Tiergan’s eyes held a smile.
Braun moaned and shook his head.
“Diallo…” The impish wolf righted himself and bowed sarcastically, a lop-sided grin on his face.
“Yes, my brother?” Tiergan dropped to the ground, a paw over his mouth as Diallo spoke. Laughter clicked in Diallo’s tone, and Kaori shot Braun a warning glance. Braun sighed and shook his head.
“Never mind, you foolish pup.” He barked gruffly. “But if those pups have nightmares-“
“Of Moloth’s gleaming eyes?” Diallo’s voice was low and sly as he began creeping up beside his brother. “Oooooo…..”
“Stop that!” Braun snapped, cuffing Diallo across the muzzle. Laughter tumbled from Diallo’s jaws as he dipped his head.


The Alpha leapt atop a ledge that jutted from a rock wall that flanked the right side of the den-camp. Tiergan, Diallo, and Kaori took the places beneath him, casting firm glances around Tuari and the wolves that poured from each den.
“Wolves of Tuari!” Braun’s voice rang out, deep and commanding. The alpha’s voice lifted over the low hum of murmuring wolves. Each wolf affixed their gaze on their Alpha, and the voices hushed. “In light of the recent happenings, I realize that we are no longer safe in our home.”
“Tuari has been safe since I was a puppy!” a scraggly elder called out, “No force has been able to breech Tuari enough to break our power.
“Times have changed, Orril, this power is far greater than we have ever seen- I fear not even Tuari is immune to Moloth’s growing evil.”
“Perhaps it is not the enemy, but our leader who we should question.” Orril’s elderly gaze held his alpha’s strongly. Braun’s shoulders lifted and his head lowered with dominance.
“Speak not of mutiny, old friend, for it does not bode well.” Braun’s voice was a deep growl.
“We are all scared, Orril.” Tiergan spoke from near the elder, “We cannot begin turning on each other in our most dire time of need. Our pack must remain strong from the inside. Questioning our alpha is not what will help us now.” Braun sat back, thankful for Tiergan’s words of wisdom. He gazed over his pack from the jagged piece of stone.
“As you all know, we fear that Moloth is in league with Vought. His impressive display last night proved that.”
As the truth of Diallo’s stories became real for the pups, they began whimpering, pushing themselves backwards against warrior or pupsitters. Braun glared down at his brother; Diallo looked at the ground quickly, adverting Braun’s gaze. Whispers wheezed through the crowd of wolves, and Braun raised his voice to be heard.
“Silence!” Braun stared at the Tuari wolves. “Warrik, Alpha of Braeden, and I have been thinking of a way we will not wait to be attacked- however, Tsar and Suki have not given us the answer yet.”
Kaori looked at Tiergan with worry. The white giant felt her eyes on him and pressed against her. Diallo’s head drooped and he heard his brother let out a half-breath.
“We will succeed in breaking this power- no force has ever felled Tuari.” The wolves were quiet.
“As Orrin said, Tuari has always been strong, and we will remain that way.”
“Let the voices of Tuari be heard!” Tiergan howled.
“Let them know we are not afraid!” Kaori chimed, her attention gathered.
“Prove to the dark forces that Tuari will not go quietly into the night!” With Braun’s final words the entire pack burst into a howling melody of song. Kaori’s voice uncoiled into a fierce note of strength, bravery, hopes and love as it shook through the night. Braun inhaled and let his own thick note wrap around hers; Diallo’s light voice rang out clearly and the deep, monotone of Tiergan worked its way into the thread of voices.
A hope now shone in the eyes of the Tuari wolves, a new flame lit into their eyes as a chorus of voices ricocheted throughout Tuari; it rumbled through Braeden into the darkest depths of Zohar…into the mountains beyond…

[Lydair]

“Fool!” Moloth snarled, whirling around to face the smaller black wolf that stood before him. “Why were your warriors not ready before she told you to attack?” Moloth commanded. His orange eyes, rimmed in a ghastly white, pierced through Vought’s own gleaming golden orbs. Vought’s eyes darted to his left and his right; scarred warriors lined the cavern.
Deep within the mountainside, little light slipped through the cracks and the shadows never lay dormant for long. Each warrior held a fierce grin, an evil leer that threatened to end the Alpha’s life at a nod of Moloth’s thick head.
“Was I to know to attack before the news was given to me?” Vought said coolly; he was seemingly unafraid of the towering Escuro leader. Moloth wrinkled his nose in disgust as fear began wafting from the Zohar alpha’s body. Stepping forward menacingly, Moloth’s hot breath swayed Vought’s fur. The black Zoharnian’s ears twitched.
“How you talk to me affects many, Vought. Do you not remember your death pact with Escuro?” Snarls erupted from the savage warriors that lined the walls and they began slowly creeping forward. “You owe me your life and your vow. My warriors-”
“Your warriors. Of course. It seems adequate that you would avoid judging their own fighting.” Moloth leapt forward, easily bowling the large black leader to the ground. His jaws wrapped around Vought’s throat and tightened, cutting off Vought’s air. As Moloth’s teeth punctured flesh, blood began trickling onto the floor of the cave. Vought’s eyes grew wide and he writhed painfully; strong hind feet lashed out to strike at Moloth’s stomach. The Escuro Alpha stepped out of his way and squeezed tighter before he let go. Vought gasped, panting, and picked himself up. Snarling, Vought leapt at he entrance to the cave; three Escuro warriors shoved him back down to the earth. Moloth jumped atop Vought’s back.
“Do you hear that?” he seethed into the Zoharnian’s ear, pushing Vought’s head to the floor of the cave. Soft, gentle echoes of the strong howls of the Tuarins made Vought wince. “I lost, Vought. I don’t enjoy losing, you will find.”
Moloth slammed his jaws down on Vought’s skull. Vought screamed in pain as pressure surged through his head. The Zoharnian Alpha’s vision began to swim; everything became hazy. As the world began to go dark, Moloth let go.
“Return to your den-camp, Vought.” Moloth said flatly, commanding. “I’ve no more use for you tonight.” Vought picked himself up, trembling on un-steady legs. As he stumbled awkwardly down the mountain, the Escuro warriors cackled and leapt after him. Batting at him with sharpened claws and snapping wild jaws, Vought tripped, yelped, and rolled down the mountainside. Several Escuro warriors followed him, but Moloth’s sharp bark brought them back, tails tucked. Lowering their eyes, they refused to meet the brutal leader’s gaze- even the warriors who had been with him since he had appeared still couldn’t bear the sight of his ghostly orange and white eyes staring into their own. Moloth’s surrealistic gaze was fixed on the entrance to the cave, for several minutes the cave was eerily silent. Warriors of Escuro had been taught that to disturb the powerful leader was lethal.
“Devlin.” Moloth’s voice was cold and dead, as if Dincor and Keres lingered inside of the wolf, ready to strike at anyone at any time. From one side of the mountain cave a wolf stepped forward; large and gray, scars littered his ears and muzzle. Silver-gray fur glittered as the sun rose to kiss the top of the sky; the black that circled his ears and tinged his face shone. The wolf’s eyes were russet and glittering as he dipped his head in respect for Moloth.
“Yes?” His voice was medium for his size and light. His eyes met Moloth’s and he shifted uncomfortably under Moloth’s gleaming, dead stare. Moloth remained emotionless, as he began pacing, never taking his eyes off of Devlin.
“Devlin, who led the warriors into battle today?”
“Brac, sir.” His voice was full and confident. Moloth’s sharp gaze shifted to a battle-scarred wolf; one eye had been replaced by a mass of scar tissue. The warrior’s single eye gleamed with hate as Brac glared at Devlin beneath thick tufts of hair that gave him the appearance of a mane.
“Brac. I see. Brac!” His voice grew lower, into a deafening snarl. Several warriors shrank against the wall, cowering at the anger in Moloth’s voice. Brac shakily met Moloth’s gaze, and fought to keep from adverting his eyes.
“Yes?” Brac said, keeping his voice steady and fighting fear. A warrior beside him snorted as fear-scent began clogging his nostrils. Moloth swerved his head to focus his fierce gaze on the warrior. Devlin, too, snapped his head around to stare at the warrior. Moloth glanced at Devlin, ears twitching with sheer annoyance.
“Is something amusing, Vylus?” Devlin snarled, turning towards the wolf. Stepping close to Vylus, Devlin snapped his jaws dangerously close to the warrior’s face. “Brac!” Devlin bellowed angrily. “If you cannot keep your own warriors from laughing at you, perhaps you should cease to be an Escuro commander.”
A hot reply was on Brac’s lips, but Moloth shot him a fierce glare and started towards him. Brac flattened his ears and glared at Devlin before his head turned slowly to the warrior. Moloth moved towards Devlin.
“That is not for you to decide.” Devlin lowered his head to hide the gleam of defiance that shimmered in his russet orbs; Moloth knew the young commander was cocky, and he irritably accepted.
“I will talk to you about this later, Vylus.” Brac snarled softly, cuffing the small gray warrior against the side of his head. Vylus winced and pressed against the warrior beside him, whose hackles flared immediately and snarled at Vylus. Standing up quickly, Vylus lowered his skull and rammed it into the warrior’s cheek. A savage growl went up, and wolves turned to attack their neighbors. Warriors that Devlin commanded- the top warriors in Escuro- the strongest, the fastest- turned on others, those commanded by Brac, the third-in-command wolf, until rage had filled the cave and the only sound heard was the snapping of jaws and the fierce snarls of battling wolves.
Devlin reared on his hind legs, his voice cascading throughout the cave.
“Silence! “ Devlin roared, barreling into Vylus and his opponent, Draug, one of Devlin’s fiercest warriors. Moloth sat still and quiet, eyes closed, but when his lids snapped open, his eyes were afire. His voice was powerful in everybody’s minds.
“Silence!” Each wolf dropped to the ground and began whimpering, ears and tails lowered and flattened in submission. Moloth stood and glared around him; the wolves began to line up against the walls again.
“You were trained.” He seethed, trotting slowly across the stretch of each long wall. “And trained, and trained, to remain silent unless called upon by myself or your commander. To obey no other wolf than your commander. To show no mercy.” Devlin stood in the middle of the cave, glaring round him. Brac hesitated before moving to join him. Devlin leapt in front of the wolf.
“Return to your position.” Devlin’s voice was low and haughty. Brac glared at the younger commander, who dropped his head threateningly and held the glare without blinking. From over Devlin’s head, Moloth’s stare penetrated Brac. Muttering darkly, he turned and sat back down beside Vylus and one of Devlin’s warriors, who stared at him before shifting his gaze back to Moloth.
“And yesterday, you made fools of yourselves. Brac, your warriors disgraced themselves and Escuro.” Brac’s warriors looked down, but the one-eyed wolf stared at Devlin, who lifted a lip to expose glinting fangs. Brac sneered at the younger wolf and looked away, focusing his attention on Moloth. Each word that Moloth spoke was empty. He had heard them all before. “If the warriors are so poorly trained that they are bested by a female,” he sneered, “Perhaps I need to reevaluate the need for such wolves in Escuro.” A snarl rose in Brac’s throat as he remembered the white female, so small and helpless, he knew, on her own, but she had the giant protecting her.
Brac grunted and shifted his bulky weight. Moloth huffed loudly and snarled.
“Go.” He dismissed the large commander. Brac barked loudly, and his warriors stood from their lines and filed behind their leader.
“Devlin.”
The gray wolf looked up and around. Meeting the eyes of Uyen, Escuro’s only female warrior, he jerked his head towards the egress of Escuro Mountain. She nodded and barked-howled, and the warriors readily stepped from their spaces on the wall to join Devlin’s sister. This group was laidback, refined, and several tails wagged as they joined the placid Uyen, but Devlin knew the strength and ferocity of his own ranks.
Devlin trotted to his Alpha’s side.
“Yes sir?”
“They will fall.” Moloth hissed, his cold voice shook Devlin’s heart with unrest.
“One more attack, and they are finished.” Vought growled. “They think they can outlast me; defeat me. Stand up and fight me.” Moloth’s ears twitched with annoyance, his eyes glazed over with anger, “I admit: They have strong warriors-- proud warriors. Pride is not an easy thing to break.” Moloth turned to Devlin. Devlin was the only wolf in Escuro able to hold the black giant’s gaze without a sign of a flinch or fear-scent broiling from him. “But I have broken it before. Many in this ‘Tuari’ pack have pride; it runs deep in their veins.”
“Yes sir.” Devlin nodded in agreement, “Without a doubt. But I assure you, it can be broken, we can defeat them.”
“I never questioned that.” Moloth snapped. Devlin dipped his head.
“The ranks are getting restless.” He growled quietly. Defeat is a new scent to them.” “They will soon feel the thrill of victory again.” Moloth snarled. Devlin nodded his large head; as he sat the muscles under his coat rippled and his ears twitched,
“They think they can withstand annihilation?” Devlin grinned, “Their pride must me more than I first believed. Or perhaps simply their stubbornness.”
“Indeed.” Moloth growled, “I need to think now.” he said. Devlin nodded and cantered swiftly after Uyen and his ranks, down the winding trail that led to the den-camp.




“What do you have planned for us?” Tiergan asked Braun. Kaori and Diallo waited patiently for Braun’s reply. The remaining Tuari wolves had since left on a hunt towards Braeden packlands; Warrik would welcome them and many Tuarins had close ties with braeden members. The pups, over the fear that Diallo had accidentally given them, were being closely guarded in Braun’s own den. The tension was thick in the air-- despite the uplifting song they had participated in earlier.
“I don’t know yet. As I said earlier, though, we cannot remain here and wait for our fate to be handed to us by Moloth.” Braun took a deep breath; leadership was weighing heavily on his shoulders now. No alphaess was by his side to help him through the decisions- the closet thing was Kaori, but she had her own opinions on the fight.
“We attack.” the white femme said strongly, shrugging her small shoulders. “I’ll not wait to be assaulted by those monsters again. We should attack with everything we’ve got and try to slow them down.”
“That’s all an attack would do.” Tiergan pointed out, “Slow them down. We are no match for Moloth’s forces.” Kaori glared at Tiergan.
“Do you have a better suggestion?”
“No.” Tiergan admitted, “But with faith in Tsar and Suki comes the answer. Slow down, Kaori.”
“Don’t fight yet.” Diallo interjected, “Within the woven threads of war is peace. Wait. Come on, Kaori.” He barked, playfully batting at her and getting a low growl in return. Diallo’s blue eyes sparked and he shrugged with a small smile and a soft laugh.
“I have to think.” Braun sighed again, “It’s getting harder and harder. What’s best for Tuari may not be what’s best for me, or you.” He hung his head, “I need strength, and wisdom, yet I feel like my body has been drained of both.”
“The weight of leadership is a heavy one.” Tiergan nodded, “You know I will assist you, Braun, my allegiance will never falter.”
“Mine as well.” Kaori offered
“You know I will follow you to the end, brother.” Braun smiled halfway and stood.
“I must consult the gods, thank you friends, for all your help.”

By afternoon all of Silver Moon was blanketed with dark clouds, harsh rain whipped the wolves, and wind pelted their soaked coats. The Tuari wolves had retreated to their caves, ever providing shelter from the elements. “Have you thought about it?” Diallo asked his brother impatiently, “About what we’re going to do?”
“I have.” Braun said slowly. Only the four closest Tuari wolves sat in the senior cave, “And I believe Kaori’s idea has some merit. Thadeus and Mirit have helped me.”
“Braun-” Tiergan started in dismay, but the alpha cut him off.
“I need your trust more than anything, Tiergan.” Braun barked. “We will not attack openly; the pack will stay here. In Tuari. Only a few wolves will venture to Escuro Mountain”
“What?” Kaori asked, cocking her head, “A mere few of us stand even a slighter chance at defeating them than our entire pack.”
“I know this.” Braun said giving Kaori a warning eye, “I believe that a blatant assault will cause no more than a dent in Moloth’s darkness.
He is expecting an attack, expecting us to fight back. He is no fool, I felt it when the lighting came and his evil presence haunted our senses. Nothing can damage the ranks he has built up. No attack from us will dwindle his forces.”
“Then what?” Kaori asked, growing more impatient by the moment, she hated to stand by; her fiery stubbornness didn’t allow it.
“His forces must fall from the inside. Just as Tiergan provided wisdom to Orrin; a pack is as strong as it’s bond between members. The strongest pack can’t be broken from the outside. Only the inside…even the smallest shred of light can gnaw through the darkness. ”
Diallo tipped his head in a silent question, his sapphire orbs glittering with confusion. Smiling sheepishly, he turned to Kaori. “So it means…”
“It means we have to infiltrate their ranks.” Tiergan nodded slowly, his brain catching onto Braun’s plan, “We have to weave ourselves into his pack, become his minions, his pawns.”
“Precisely.” Braun nodded.
“I’ll go.” Kaori stood, her tail erect, “I can’t wait here and wonder what’s happening, or if it’s working.”
“I need you here, Kaori.” Braun said.
“You know I can’t stay.” Kaori nudged her alpha, “You can’t force me to, Braun, please don’t.” Her eyes were pleading, something new to Braun.
“You, Braun, must stay.” Tiergan said to the alpha,. “For Tuari will surely fall apart if their alpha abandons them.”
“It is my responsibility to protect my pack!” Braun stood abruptly, holding Tiergan’s gaze. “I am not abandoning them, I am saving them!”
“They will not understand.” Tiergan reasoned, “You must stay here, and keep them strong in good faith.”
“He’s right, brother.” Diallo offered, “I think he’s right. Tuari needs you more than anyone, or anything else.”
“I will go with Kaori.” Tiergan supplied his assistance.
“Me too!” Diallo jumped to his feet, tail wagging.
“This is not puppy’s play.” Braun snapped at his brother. Diallo toppled over to his side and pinned his ears with submission, “I would let you go, Diallo, if I thought you could survive.”
“I can!” Diallo barked back. “Remember, brother, I fought by your side when the chances of us winning were depressing, and yet we prevailed! I can fight! I was at your side loyally throughout the entire fight at Braeden, Braun!”
“You are always so foolish.” Braun glared at his brother; it may have seemed like spite was the reason behind Braun’s insistence, but both Kaori and Tiergan knew Braun wanted to protect his brother more than anything else.
“Let me do it!” Diallo leapt back to his feet and glowered back at his brother, his alpha, “I have never done anything for this pack, except for the fight at Braeden!.”
“Yes, you have.” Kaori rolled her eyes, “You’ve always kept us happy with your antics. And you said yourself, you fought with Braun in the battle last suka-sar.”
“Braun, please.” Diallo whimpered softly. “You must let me go. Don’t keep me here while my friends leave.”
“I will sleep on it.” Braun moved to the deepest part of the cave, no light could reach him, and thought would come easier in the darkest abyss of sleep.
Diallo sighed under his breath before collapsing in a heap near the doorway. His sharp nose pointed towards the rain, his eyes wandering through the damp grounds of Tauri’s lands as he waited for sleep to come.

[Shadowbane]

Even longer than the last! Wow! How do you do it?