BEFOREMATH (SJSM fanfic)

Escape

Kanerek:

I've thought it over
I'm going, I need to leave, I need someplace better for both myself and my children, we'll find peace together, we'll find Tirsiak together. It's not that I distrust the king, but me and my children need someplace better, food is scarce, and we've been getting food less and less lately, I will be informing the king of the movement to see if he can come along with us.
During hunts, I've encountered a seemingly abandoned mansion, perhaps it's a good place to stay temporarily.. I'll have to ask the king of his opinions.

I floated over to the tree, I stood infront of it and gently tapped it to wake him, his eyes appeared from the holes representing eye sockets and he stared at me, " what is it ... ? " He sounded somewhat fatigued..
" Your majesty, I've found a mansion not too far from here, it appears to be abandoned, do you believe it would be a good place to stay until we find someplace better to live ? "
He raised a brow, resting himself on one of his hands, " ... What's the motive behind this ? Did you take my advice ? "
" Sort of.. This isn't the most ideal place for my children and I to stay, I plan on staying in the mansion until we find someplace better "
" Hmm.. " he nodded, looking like he was thihking, processing the what I had just told him, and then he smiled, " yes, that's a good idea, but let me think about it, alright ? I'll get back to you on it tomorrow, surely you can last an extra moon, right ? " " Yes, there's just the right amount of rations left " " excellent, I'll be off now " his glowing eyes vanished, I sighed in relief, satisfied with the interaction and floated away.

That was nice, I'm glad that went so splendidly, now, all I have to do is make sure that all of the children are around. I've already spoken to them, they don't mind the idea at all, that's good, I'm glad everyone is on the same page.
There's nothing inherently dangerous about this place, but its very empty, prey and water usually isn't around much, so as much as this place does look somewhat calming and aesthetically pleasing, the rules of hunger and thirst call, and this place won't be providing us anything for much longer now. Unlike how it was a few years ago, the trees are not edible, we cannot feast upon everything around us, I am speaking for my children when I say this. I've watched them try and sink their teeth into wood in desperation for a meal, they need something better, they deserve it.

I trust our king will help us, perhaps this place and the events of the forest fire took a toll on him, perhaps that's why he's been so rough lately.. but I still don't know if I can allow him near my children, I feel safe around him, but I don't feel safe leaving them with him, hopefully the mansion, a change of scenery, will ease his mind, and things will get better.
I still aim to try and find Tirsiak, I know that I can't stop thinking about them, but I feel partially responsible for wherever they are and whatever happened to them, I want them to be okay, they've suffered so terribly, and I feel it's my duty as their older cousin to try and save them. I already know what happened to the rest of my family, it was devastating and heartbreaking, I do not want to let go and risk letting them be all alone, family is too important to me.. I just wish the king understood that..