Archibald moved along carefully, mind cloudy. A couple of days ago he had sparred with Romani, a mare that he promoted to warrior because of the spar, and at that time was getting continual thoughts and emotions from Loretta. Now, however, with the turn of Birdsong and the Sun God being restored he heard nothing. The Dauntless was so confused, and his mood was leaning towards anger. He blamed the Sun God for this, thinking the bastard cursed the horses of Helovia--should not that god have learned his fucking lesson? Archibald's ears lay flat against his head and, if he possessed the same vocal cords as Loretta, he would be growling.

Loretta trailed slowly behind her bonded, ears flat and tail tucked tightly between her back legs. Without the ability to read the draft's thoughts the malamute thought his ears were pinned at her--that his angry body language was her fault. She walked a large distance away to keep from being kicked and she tried to stay out of Archibald's way in everything. When Archibald stopped, Loretta stopped too and lowered her body to the ground. If he turned towards her she would roll over and tip her head back, letting him know she was completely submissive to him and she was sorry for whatever she did to make him stop talking to her. Sometimes she would whine, sometimes she would yip at him and cry loudly out to the sky. She wanted to fix what was broken--she could not stand to live in silence any longer!

Each time Loretta showed her submission or whined a piece of Archibald's heart broke. He knew now what it was like to love and to truly feel heartbreak--something Mandrake had never taught him or cared to teach him. He did not share these feelings with his mother--no, surely not--for she would see them as weakness. Archibald was not weak--he was invincible. He was the Dauntless, Chief of the Windtossed Foothills. No one was stronger than him. Sighing Archibald shook his head, ridding himself of the thoughts. His golden eyes glanced back towards his bitch and she stopped, dropping her body to the ground instantly. Letting out an exasperated breath Archibald looked forward again.

His eyes surveyed the area, taking in the new spring setting of the Thistle Meadow. Last time he had been here Knox had blinded him and Loretta had punished Manhattan. His youngest brother had tried to kill the malamute then, but Archibald stopped him. His eyes fell now on two white figures--one with gold markings and wings, the other a familiar body, Ophelia. However, panic struck his heart and he instantly took off at a full gallop towards the two. Ophelia was not moving at all, even in the presence of the winged one. Archibald's golden eyes narrowed and he tucked his hips in for a sliding stop before he lifted his body up into a mighty rear, muddy white feathers rolling towards the body of the winged one. "Get away from her!" The Dauntless commanded, his voice booming.