The highs in life were ever-tempered by the lows.

Kaphiri basked in the glow of the life he'd built alongside his newlywed, but dark clouds gathered on their idyllic horizon. There had been brief, unsure warning, and then... an entire family, gone. Their Matriarch, gone. The Stormhorse was left with an aching heart longing for the friends he'd made, the packmates he'd come to feel protective over, but life never had been simple for him. It'd always been a struggle, a never-ending climb, a fight to prove himself worthy.

But he would stay, and he would wait for the return of Fable and her clan -- for they had to come back, surely? He would make sure Avon would stay strong in their absence, to carry on in their honor and live a life they'd be proud of. When they returned... they would find home warm and ready to accept them back with open arms. Until then... it was just the daily grind of pushing down the grief, of relishing the happy moments and throwing his time into being a good packmate and husband.
He'd come to adapt well to hunting with half his vision and hearing, now that he was really putting effort into trying. It still grinded at him, how useless he'd thought he was, how reliant his Herd had -even unintentionally- kept him. Sure, plenty of princes had others hunting at their beck and call and didn't really need to do much themselves, but Kaphiri had never been that man. He had always loved pulling his weight, being among his people and using as much of his blood, sweat and tears as those of the others around him.

And now, he could again. And boy, was it needed -- their lands were safe, but had been opened to their allies experiencing terrible signs of the plague claiming their own home. Their people. Kaphiri couldn't imagine how bad it must be to abandon the place they loved, but it was more important to make sure the rest Elysium's members survived. That the poor yearlings who lost their parents found comfort here with their uncle, that they all might get to go home one day.
Kaphiri wondered if he and Amrei shouldn't be out there, doing something to help end the plague and follow the dreams being delivered.... but reminded himself that there were so many people here that were wounded, sick, or weak, that having strong providers in those like the ruby priest and his wife were critical in their recovery right now. Plus, did he dare put her in danger? The nagging thought in the back of his mind remained; without Foxglove, was there a capable healer heading the recovery of those who needed it? Kaphiri had always hated the job forced upon him, but he couldn't sit back and let Avon's allies suffer for his own discomfort. He had been gathering herbs for moons, despite his loathing of them. While he wasn't the first person to jump up and scream that he was a doctor if there was anyone else fit to handle a situation, he wouldn't ever find himself regretting his foolishness because, say, Amrei was sick, or one of the Regent's children -- or if their lands were opened for their allies in disaster. What if Fox had needed help? Now that he was gone, was there anyone to fill the spot left behind?

Sighing, he resolved to find Dimitri or Fiadh to ask about it. If they needed him to train someone more suited to the healing rank, so be it, and he could step up and help where he was needed in the meantime. He had been with Avon since its earliest days, had stuck with the fae kingdom and its matriarch through hardship and change. He wouldn't falter now, not when Fable needed him to do his part.

Kaphiri found himself sitting at the edge of Boann's Rill, staring into the yawning, dark pit that swallowed up the rivers end to the cavern beneath. The tinged, poison waters had come here from up on Fate's Respite, and he wondered how long it would be contained to this river -- how long the meadows of Avon would be safe. What happened then? Did they pack up Elysium with them and leave their home, too? What if the land never recovered? Dread pulsed in the priests chest, but he sucked in a slow, deep breath. Saeiqa had delivered him here, to this new world and this new life. Whatever storm was coming, Kaphiri would chase it alongside his wife and the newfound faith he had in the fae.
A small voice nagged in the back of his mind: death by water was Saeiqa's wrath. Did that count, here? When the water had been tampered with by forces other than the Stormhorse God? Or had Kaphiri been sent here to suffer the curse on him?

A strong, warm breeze rustled his fluffy mane and the tips of his ears, and Kaphiri felt comfort from its reassurance; closing his eyes and turning his gilded face to the sun high above.

Things would be okay.

Skill: Occultist 1/5

Parenthood is difficult, even with the support of Steller and Valeska and Spider. And with Eabha's recent developments, learning the girl could not feel pain, Dimitri doesn't know what to do. The pack is weighing on her, too, and she can't help but worry that she's not going to be good enough. It only has to last until the Goldencourtes return, she says. She only has to care so long as Fable or one of her daughters returns. And then she and Fiadh will hand off the rule, happily, and perhaps think about returning to Elysium when the land is cured.

Though something makes her wonder if that's ever going to truly happen.

Kaphiri is one of the flock, though, and he must be worried sick. Dimitri hadn't been seeking him out, but now that she sees him, she stops her bone arrangements and nods towards him.

"Kaphiri."

She ignores the portents of doom whispering up from the bones.

"Are you all right? Seeking the sun?" She smiles wistfully. "Come. Sit with me. I've seen nothing today but shadows in the bones, a sign I should probably consider company."

Mostly, Kaphiri worried for Fable and her family. Was it some strange, foreign power that stole each of them away from their original homes? Was it each individual God or Goddess out there --of which the priest accepted there were many-- placing servants like Kaphiri here for some untold reason? Were the fae desperate for their guardian's back in some other realm? He worried for the family, hoped they were simply together and safe for now.
Of everything Epona had taught him, he didn't know what to assume.
He didn't have a terrible amount of time to overthink, but somehow, he managed it anyway. Mind racing and heart heavy, he didn't notice Dimitri until she was calling out to him, suddenly there; her silvery form blotting into view through the mists bellowing from the falling river as if conjured by his thoughts. Was Fiadh hiding over there too, he wondered half with amusement half with bitterness. Now... now, he had to follow through on his silent vow. He had to do the right thing.

Was he alright? Pfft.

The wine-red priest pulled himself to his paws and moved with heavy, automatic steps to the Regent, offering a half-hearted wave of his plumy tail. He didn't answer immediately, just frowned more deeply, listening as she went on to speak of the bones and their ill omens and resettling himself next to the Callosum. After a moment, he spoke, but he didn't talk about what he was doing here staring into the abyss or anything else apparently related to anything she'd said.

I've been meaning to look for you, or Fiadh, he puffed uncertainly, one ear turning back in discomfort, To ask if theres a seasoned herbalist among us still, or if I need to step up more.