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(This story is a sequel to ”The Littlest Raft”. It is also part of the ”Trying to have a child outside of Recognition” storyline - see list for related stories..) The moons shone bright that night, with a bit of a breeze cooling the heat in the air left over from the hot summer day. Both served as a comfort to the tribe, gathered together at the Holt’s River for a Howl unlike any other that they could remember. Tonight, we howl for you. We never got to meet you, and see just who you might have been. There could be no doubt that Snowfall, Kestrel, and True Edge were the most deeply affected, and they stood together now. If almost looked as if they were holding each other up — and perhaps they were. Nearby, Beetle had her arm around Willow, who counted this as her greatest failure since Fletcher. But around those most central to the Howl stood the rest of the tribe. Tonight, we howl for you. We never got to know you, and there are no stories to tell. Beyond the initial shock of what had happened, a storm of emotions had flooded throughout the tribe. The chief and his father were among those whose minds could not stop going over the events, trying to make sense of it all.There were a few who felt anger towards Willow, needing someone to blame for a tragedy that was beyond their limited understanding. But the biggest group of all, many among them parents themselves, were those who just felt sorrow for the three parents-to-be whose hopes had been dashed without warning. Tonight, we howl for you. Though you were here just a short time, we already had a place for you in our hearts. Despite the array of emotions, everyone came together now to get some closure on the event. The Howl, after all, was something each and every wolfrider could understand. It was a release of the emotions that could not, and should not, be pent up inside. Bringing the little raft so lovingly made by True Edge and Snowfall’s grandson over to the river, the three mates knelt together to gently push it into the water, watching the light from the candle upon it until it could not be seen any longer. A lone howl pierced the air, and as the voices of others joined in, it created a sound that said everything that needed to be said without the use of any words at all. The feeling of unity was a comfort, and it served as a reminder to all that no one need ever wade through their grief alone. Tonight, we howl for you. Though eventually we will heal, we will always, always remember.
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