Down Memory Lane (private)

Xeph had been sitting in what he considered a meditative position, legs crossed, hands still in his lap. That had gotten old fast. Now he lay spread-eagled on the cool stone floor of the Hall, breathing slowly, watching and not watching the flickering lights around him.

He'd recently read Jesse's latest report, which had focused not on the Pack grounds but on an anomaly in the Park and Preserve. The young man had rightly included it in his notes to Camille, and she in turn had brought it to his attention.

A strange animal. Not a wolf, not a coyote, not even a wild dog. It had been there where Jesse was, and while it hadn't attacked or done much to him, the newer Were had thought enough of it anyway. He'd looked it up, tried to pin a name to it as best he could, never having seen the like before, and the word he'd used had set off bells and whistles in Xeph's head.

Jackal.

He raised one arm, covered his eyes, and growled at himself. Why did that word cause the hair on the back of his neck to stand up? Something in his father's inherited memories, and it was something deep.

He saw imprinted on the backs of his eyelids a jackal in silhouette. It was very clear to him. Large ears, long neck, brushy tail held down. It was just standing there, looking back at him calmly.

Why, then, did that image seem so sinister now?

Bending his knees Xeph cursed silently. "Come on, Dad. Help me out here."

It wasn't worth much; Liam had done precious little with or for him in life, he thought spitefully. Why should he help in death?

He let out a long breath, moved his arm, and slowly sat up. He cupped his chin in his hands and stretched forward, brow furrowed, thinking hard. Was there anything he could think of, anything at all? No. Not in any memory was there an impression of a jackal, save the inheritance from his father. A chilling one. Something Liam had hated, something Kadzait before Liam had hated, and something Xeph hated without even knowing now.

He knew without understanding why that Jesse had been lucky to come away unharmed. Was it the jackal, then that was dangerous, or did it precede danger? Was it a sign, or a portent? Was there someone with it who was dangerous?

Xeph just didn't know.

Without conscious effort, he began to plan, knowing Hammer and the Pipers would take umbrage at his so clearly going around them. Sure, they'd received the same report, but he could hardly expect it to really worry them. There were more pressing concerns, like solving murders. Besides, technically he was a Piper too, by virtue of being the Alpha, right? He could check this one himself.

Xeph nodded. That was what he'd do. A little reconnaissance.

((ooc: Xeph out))