Birdy kept his eyes on the road, but it was he who responded. Raphael kept his focus forward; he seemed to be muttering to himself and concentrating.
"Apologies for the longer drive, Jared. Your other half has been air evacuated to the state general hospital."
Jared whimpers, and whines "What? Why? What happened?"
"Nothing to him," says Birdy, still watching the road. "The local doctors simply panicked when faced with his symptoms. As their patron I must say I'm very disappointed in them. No cool under pressure, tsk tsk."
He merges gently into the turning lane, taking the exit for the capital.
"There is good news, of course. I think we'll beat your family there, so they'll arrive to find you whole and hearty; likewise Shaggy.
"Oh, that's good." Jared barks. He feels a strange sensation, and looks back to see his tail wagging. That, at least, he could get used to...
"Wait," he barks. "How do you know all that?"
"All knowing, all seeing." quips Birdy.
Raphael mutters "...mostly..."
Bringing his head back into the car, Jared snuffles at the front seat. Raphael pats him absentmindedly but pushes him away gently. Without looking from the road, Birdy shakes his head.
"Leave him be, Jared. He's busy."
"Busy?" he barks.
Finally Raphael speaks, but he sounds distant, distracted.
"Wepwawet...is a brat...and we took away his toy..."
Birdy grunts, and takes his eyes off the road long enough to shoot a dark glance at Jared in the rearview mirror.
"One thing we have to give the Old Gods; they're persistent and fight for what they want. Wepwawet isn't as strong as Raphael, but he's tenacious. And vicious."
Raphael winces suddenly.
"...and he has help..."
Birdy's dry demeanour breaks for a moment, and Jared's canine nose detects something he'd never smelt coming from a human before.
Fear.