Kine squeezed Sierra in a fierce yet gentle hug, probably holding on a little too long but unable to make himself let go. Sierra was patient, letting him have his fill and squeezing him back, he assumed in an attempt to reassure him. Eventually, he relaxed his grip, moving his hands to her upper arms and pulling back to scrutinise her face, looking for any sign of concern from her. She seemed fine but Kine could help worrying. Intellectually he knew Sierra was better equipped than most to head off into the wild places. Even alone, she’d done this many time before and knew how to survive, probably even better than most Myath, at least he gathered from the vague snippets of information she’d let slip occasionally.

But emotionally, in his heart, Kine could only feel fear for his little cousin. The wilds, where even grav-lines didn’t venture, where the ancient beasts ruled and the lost past dared to linger and intrude was no place for a lone young individual. His instinct and the steadily growing kin bond screamed at him to protect her, send her guards, forbid her to go… do something to stop this but he wrangled them back and told himself again and again, she could so this. Trust her.

The tiny form of Thellips Avian Form flitted briefly in his vision before he settled in Sierra shoulder, close to where Kine’s hand rested. She would be alone after all and, from his interaction with the Avaness, Thellip was capable. He and Sierra obviously had a good relationship and Kine let himself be reassured by the stoic presence. Finally, Kine let his hands drop and leaned in to rub his cheek abasing Sierra’s leaving his scent and hopefully some comfort for her.

“Go on then. Stay in touch and stay safe Little Cousin.” He urged, unwilling to linger much longer in case he gave in to his worrying. Sierra grinned at him and wrinkled her nose, the delicate whiskers of her Warrior Form twitching as she did. It was rare to see her in her other forms but she was slowly getting used to them.

“I promise to stay safe Kine, but you be careful at the Neutral Grounds. I feel like the political turbulence of the Gathering will be far more dangerous than the things in the Wilds. Don’t get into any fights without me okay?” She half joked, but Kine could see the concern in her eyes.

“Hey, I have guards with me. You’re the one venturing off into places unknown practically alone.” He quipped, nudging her playfully, trying to hide his fretting.

“I’ll be fine. I know where I’m going and nobody else does. Trust me.” She reassured, the playful edge melting away.

“I do.” He replied simply, trying to put his sincerity into his tone.

***

Kine stood on the Capitals wall, watching a tiny figure disappear into the distance, his closest guards and confidants arrayed behind him, waiting patiently. He couldn’t see Sierra anymore but he couldn’t make himself leave, lost in thoughts of when he first met his little cousins not even a full orbit ago.

He and his Elites had stalked their escaped criminal for many rotations until they found his scent, muddied but just discernible among the village of Myath. He’d been so intent on his goal that the pungent fear of the villagers barely registered with him. He was tracking Icanthie scent so he followed his nose, even after the original criminal had be apprehended. Something drove him to keep following that scent until he found two tiny individuals sitting on a hill. Young.

So many impressions hit him as he drew closer to them. Their body language was oddly muted and difficult to read, as if they were impersonating statues. Their scent was confusing, all at once familiar yet odd and underneath everything, the universal scent of fear, so tightly controlled yet it had leaked out. It was the scent of fearful juveniles that had finally snapped him out of his stalking and made him really look. Throughout the entire following conversation, one thing was painfully clear to Kine: no matter how much she tried to hide it, how brave she seemed or how calmly she dealt with everything that followed, Sierra didn’t trust anyone. Not really.

The more he got to know her and the stronger their bond grew, the more Kine realised that Sierra didn’t let herself trust. She’d been through so much, lost so much and taken on so much responsibility that she couldn’t let herself make mistakes. So she closed herself off. Every time he looked into her eyes, he saw the battle within her. She wanted the bonds and support that trusting someone brought but she was afraid to let it happen and potentially get hurt. Kine could understand it. For a Myath, trust in the wrong individuals could mean death…

Kine sighed. Sierra was so young still but she didn’t seem it. Life had forced her to grow up too soon and Kine wanted to give her back the carefree youth that everyone deserved to experience. It’s not like she was completely close off. Over the past moons, Kine had seen her slowly, painfully slowly, seen her make the first tentative steps towards trust. He’d seen her fight to open up and share what she could. It would be a long road, he realised, but he decided then and there that he’d be right there with her for every step, as long as she let him. He’d found his little cousin and his uncle had found answers he’d long search for. On the whole, the best was before all of them and Kine looked forward to experiencing it, no need to rush.

Eventually, Kine roused himself from his memories and turned away from the outside world, heading back to the Heart and the work waiting for him. Sierra had barely been gone half a morn but already he could feeling the workload piling up. Halfway back, Kine received an alert that sent him hurrying to the Reception Hall in the Heart. A Delegation from the Fae had arrived and were making their way into the Capital. Kine needed to help Niah with the unexpected guests but his time was limited, the journey to the Neutral Grounds imminent. He been due to leave that afternoon. Niah was a great Regent, dependable, efficient and compassionate, despite her stoic exterior, but she’d never been good with the more detailed aspects of diplomacy. There hadn't been much need for it really but now…

‘Perhaps I should have left mum as Regent,’ Kine thought to himself as he hurried along before dismissing the idea. Sheba may be good with individuals but shed hate to be away from her plants and no doubt would mother anyone she could. Kine stifled a chuckle as he remembered the stunned, confused look on Sierras face when Sheba spontaneously bathed her.