Word Count » 402
Truth be told, of all the members of this clan who had come and gone throughout the years, it was Enkiel and Halo alone who had never abandoned it. They had been born outsiders and faced with earth shattering realizations of their own blood upon arrival. Likewise, they had stood back and watched as their siblings abandoned the clan time and time again. For Enkiel, the hurt had been sharp and sudden and abandoned—if his family would not honor him, then why should he stand for them? No, his talents were for Inferni alone. If there was nothing to be gained by aiding those within, he would not have done such a thing. The clan would thrive and he would be the one who saw to such a thing, even if he could not fight as well as the others.
Like his stoic sister, Enkiel did not smile often. Yet he found the pretty woman’s face in such an odd conformation quite charming and returned the gesture, albeit it more slight, as he looked on at the children. They were the future of Inferni now, and he would continue to aid her in his subtle ways—providing plants to promote her own lactations, for one.
“We have no other children here,” the jackal reminded her, as if to echo her claim. “They need not compete with others.” Of course, there would be in-house conflict between the two. It was only natural. Enkiel had been shoved around by his siblings, yet here he stood, one of the highest ranked members of the clan and holding the most honorable co-rank within it. His dark hair was tousled, briefly, by a breeze as he shifted his head to look at the warrior. “It is in a far better state now that I alone tend it,” he said evenly, certain she would not miss the sharp remark. Talking in such ways was what he did best; there was so much left unsaid and able to be interpreted for those who knew how to listen. “How are you, Triarii? I understand you are now actively training once more.” Again, he was subtle—if she had any issues as far as her health, it was a way to politely prod about such manners. Helotes had come to him often enough with soreness or wounds, but never Halo; and he did not imagine such a proud creature would.
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