Of all the ways Falke thought his life might end, this was not one of them; alone, cold, and yes, scared. He’s not quite scared of death, for Stormbreak has nurtured a healthy relationship with the Gods and he knows Mort’s embrace will be kind. Ludo will safely usher his soul to safety. He is a purposeless man, and for someone who so often lived for his work, well - perhaps subconsciously, this is welcomed. Perhaps he sought it out. Perhaps the Fixer had no ways to fix the very darkest, deepest, most hidden places in himself.
The Attuned easily evades his cane blade and the assault on his neck knocks Phi off him, sending her safely out of range of the lion’s teeth and claws. The man is helpless against the half-predator as she crushes his windpipe, stealing the breath from his lungs even as his darkening gaze frantically searches for the little monkey, who seized by the death terror in bonded’s head, scrambled for the maze hedge. Can’t blame her. She’s just following her instincts.
When it’s all said and done, when the murderer-thief leaves and Falke’s eyes stare lifelessly up at a grey, snow-shedding sky, Ophelia creeps back to her Fixer. She feels… different. She knows, but she has to find it out for herself, as her distressed cheeps and chitters grow; her curious hands seek his usual triggers - pulling at his hair, finding his hands and nipping at a finger. Still, nothing. The wind picks up. Ophelia shivers. Seeking comfort in her soulmate’s smell and the quickly fading warmth of his body, the little capuchin burrows into his clothing and tucks herself up against his chest. Crying her loneliness and emptiness with sad chirps, she refuses to leave his side.
Deepfrost takes her too, and then buries the bodies in snow. Back to Caido they go, for scavengers to find in Flowerbirth.
{Fin}
