Jacquez Trouillefou stood moodily atop the cliff, dark eyes fathomless as he stared out at the grey sea. This was the peak where Svara had jumped to her death. Fool. That little daughter of hers had vanished; apparently Whisper had changed her mind about his hospitality, and taken the cursed collar with her. If they survived the winter, he would be surprised.
The tall dog threw back his muzzle, howling a low foghorn of a note over the dull crashing of the waves. He was summoning a packmate he had not seen since the horserace. He needed a new Constable, as much as it would irk him to promote someone into Svara's old rank. She obviously wasn't coming back, and would remain a source of annoyance even in death. Perhaps this would be the closest the madman would ever get to moving on; rewriting the faulty memories in his mind so that someone new could replace his loss.
But he did need a Constable, a strong-arm, someone to lead ways of combat. Someone to watch over the kingdom, that he could send across the borders if need be. He would value Ruri's opinion as his second-in-command, as he always had, but she was also naive and a true pacifist. To balance her faith in the good, he needed someone tough enough to stomach the bad. His disjointed thoughts had flicked through the faces of the males he had accepted -- and Finn, too, she was as tough as a man, but he had not seen her since their fling.
Leroy had always been a strong contender, but he had puppies to provide for now. He had to focus on that, his hunting, his carpentry -- the husky could only be in so many places at once. Haven was a loyal knight, and already served their borders well, but sometimes had bouts with depression and weakness. He had his flaws, like any mortal. But Jac vaguely remembered someone that had not caused any trouble, had been polite and cool and staunchly loyal. He would be the best face for Cour des Miracles, the well-built dog with the green eyes, what was his name again...? He needed to recall it before the male showed up...
Table by Sara-joe!