Chapter 68: Don’t Be a Jerk to the Nice Dog
"I just don’t think it’s a good idea, Mist." The husky Dally was arguing loudly with the peacock when Rust had happened to pass by on his way to his own private quarters for the night.
The fox hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the pair, but he was drawn in by the avian’s answer in her sultry, thick accent that Rust couldn’t begin to place.
"I had a Revelation... You know it’s not good for me to ignore those for long. I need to read him, for all of our sakes. This is big, Dally. This is a terrifyingly dark level of bad. This isn’t anything like I’ve felt before... I think Chief Crag is right... About the legendary beasts... But there’s something else... Maybe more than even one thing lurks in the shadows... Dally... I’m scared, but that’s why I NEED to know. I need to read him. Don’t fight me on this one."
The husky was getting flustered and took a few paces over to lean against and stare out the window. Rust didn’t dare breathe, as he was crouched right on the other side of it, then, only inches away.
Dally began to speak, finally voicing his concern.
"If it’s as big as you say it is... Divining that future could break you... The last time you did a king, you were out for six entire days, Mist... And it didn’t change a thing in the end... I just thought I was going to lose you. We started traveling to avoid this type of thing, not to run towards it...
"And we have Milky with us now, and they might not understand if you just go cold on us for a week or longer... We never know the cost until the deed is done... Besides, we have a moon tomorrow, I’m already going to be stressed to my limits, and you reading another king’s future may be the end to my sanity altogether... I can’t lose you."
The husky trailed off with a heavy sigh. Rust was shocked at this news. The peacock wanted to divine Prince Tyfin’s future? The fox heard Mist shuffle near the window as well, assuming she was comforting the canine. The avian spoke calmly, but decidedly.
"We can’t run from fate, my love, but we may glimpse it through examining ourselves and others. We may hope to change it in the slightest of ways, ones that can spur the most drastic of differences. I will collect what I need... I’ll put the ceremony off until after the moon for you. Just... Trust me. I need to do this."