d'Artagnan watched as Aramis returned to his side with the tell tale smug look that indicated a good days hunt. Kicking the snow the shade made a disgruntled noise, if only grass was as easy to find up here. He followed his hound back out of the arch and waded his way through the drifts, his expression shifting from slight annoyance to complete disgust. He liked the colder season and the way it paid no heed to life as it did as it pleased, but travelling through thick piles of snow, however, was not his idea of a good time. d'Art shifted his bag uncomfortably wishing to be under the influence of some hallucinating poison that took him away from reality. He'd kill for a night on the plants with Mauja. Instead he was making his way down a mountain, almost breaking his neck on every turn. Aramis bounded on in his infuriating way, his paws far more nimble on the slippy surfaces than d'Artagnans ships for hooves. Time passed and a few more grunts later the shade caught a voice on the wind.

Roux! Sacre!

Kou?! d'Artagnan had to steady himself before he went head first into a drift, eyes casting about quickly as Aramis sprinted off. As quick as he could manage d'Artagnan set off after his hound, eventually finding ground that wasn't as ridden with snow making it easier to move on, before finally he saw what he'd been looking for. Kou! She was alive and here in front of him, the darkness hadn't taken her! Aramis' tail thrashed from side to side in joy as he bounded around her porcelain form in a flurry of overly big paws, markings glowing a vibrant shade of red as he became wild with emotion. "Kou!" The shade shouted in relief as he came to a halt before her, nostrils flaring from both exertion and excitement. He stood silently for a moment and just enjoyed the feeling of a weight lifting from his shoulders, he may of been the Nightshade feared for his madness and his brutal nature, but today he was simply happy to know that his flighty Nurse was here and seemingly unscathed.

Finally he remembered the names she was shouting and he quickly remembered the meeting in the caves. "They were fine last I saw, strong boys, safe in the company of Deimos and the rest of the Basin herd." He gently informed her, hoping that this information would at least calm her quivering heart. "They are both bonded! Roux a bird, Sacre a fox. They will no longer be alone any more." Their sons had grown considerably, yearlings now and d'Artagnan felt nothing but pride for them, still he did wonder where they were now. Had they come back to the Basin with them? The shade didn't remember seeing them at the meeting.

He remained silent for now.

@[Kou]