Let's be better strangers
It doesn't matter to Wherewolf if they keep Sickle or send her off to Gale, he's come along for the fun of it and not for the politics, so he's more than willing to let the bulk of responsibility fall on Aela and Obscene who seem to care so deeply. The girl thinks Aela is someone else, even Obscene's expression runs through a litany of changes, but to him, to Wherewolf, the golden mare stays herself, and he isn't sure why. Is it something broken inside of him, or is it a fault in the others? The way Sickle so readily accepts that Aela is her friend makes him feel more secure in his own position. Nothing good will come of Aela's illusions - at least, not for those susceptible to them. His frown deepens for half a breath, but the child turns to him in the next, and her shape changes quickly enough to make him feel a bit ill, but it lands, unmistakably, on equine.It is Sickle. She steps towards him, drawn by his lure, and his frown becomes a begrudging smile, all fang. He nods. Oh yes, he thinks coldly, we've found Malik, alright.
The others answer for him, saving him from scaring her again. Aela picks up his cue quickly, appealing to the girl's sense of adventure, but Obscene's nervousness is catching. Wherewolf - the real Wherewolf - on his separate path, is pacing, ears tight forward and eyes scanning the dense foliage. Anyone with a brain would try to stop them - three foreign adults with a Tephran child? Ridiculous. They are running out of time.
The Duplicate drops its head to Sickle's level.
"Your brother has been ill, Sickle, or we would have brought him back to you. It's still very touch-and-go, and I'm afraid we might not have much time. Will you come with us? He wants to see you so badly." He pauses as if to let this bad news set in, and his eyes drift to the little blue phoenix sitting nearby.
"I don't think we have time to find Wishbone, but I'm sure your companion would be willing to carry the message, given the circumstances?"
Obscene cannot lie, and Aela tempers hers, but Wherewolf has no such qualms. He only wonders about the girl's knowledge of Beqanna's geography.
"Will you come to Nerine with us?"
It is time to go.
@Sickle
