Fortis is a Cane Corso of no club, broad shouldered and quiet enough that other pups confess things unprompted. Friends learned long ago not to interrupt Fortis near the flying den roof, especially with a glass jar lantern that flickers with old light in hand. The Yard has a small unspoken rule about teasing Fortis near the coastal towers, mostly because nobody wants to lose. On clear nights Fortis stares at the sky as if waiting for something that hasn't come back yet, and probably will.