Silent and prowling, she had climbed among the mountains.

There was much to see here; it would have been overwhelming had she an eye for it, but her focus was upon the ajaw and the holcan, their travels and their needs.

She knew better than to seek more than that. Her life, her very existence, had always hinged upon her service. Now was no different: so she stalked the natural paths or made her own.

ajaw patrols the borders of the suntouched canyon; tikal's home, as the earthsung to them, a deep drumbeat that they feel in the very marrow of their bones.

their days are spent split between border marking and venturing outside of the canyon in the hopes of finding the remaining holcan.

many were among tikal's growing ranks. few remained in the four winds of the wilds, as instructed by ajaw before their arrival. better, they think, that they and their holcan do not come in like an invading army.

a familiar scent, absent the scent of her sisters draws ajaw's attention and they are quick to adjust their course to intercept. heavy footfalls aim to close the difference. holcan. chuffs ajaw in greeting.

There came the sound of an approaching body; drum beats upon the earth. She saw ajaw and stood to attention. Her eyes were averted to the dirt, knowing her place, although the rest of her was standing proudly, as her training dictated.

Ajaw, murmured the woman. She bowed her head with respect. While it remained beneath the line of her shoulders she added, ... You have found a haven here. We will protect it.

She spoke of all the holcan, as was her way, and removed her singularity from it. They were a unit; they were one body whose goal was to protect their heart, which was the God before her.

this one greets you, holcan. ajaw rumbles, moving forward in the hopes of giving her a proper greeting: the soft touch of their forehead to her's.

ajaw's ultimate sign of respect. of affection, even ... for their was none that they love more than their holcan.

the holcan were an extension of them, they believed. their right paw. their heart, even.

this one is glad you have found your way to the suntouched canyon. though the trail of her sisters had hopefully helped. few they sent out and the others they sent to the canyon. to mark borders, to decorate the communal den as they wished, to make a home among the sunsands and sunrock.

almost all of your sisters are here. and though ajaw never doubted, they are nevertheless relieved; a feeling born out of worry and concern for those they loved and trusted with the very breath of their life.

If she is moved by his sentimental words, she does not give any indication. Her head remains bowed, her eyes remain averted - only shuddering once, to blink, and to shut those bright eyes for a moment. Ajtun could be likened to a gargoyle; she waits in this highly composed and statuesque manner, listening, the picture of obedience.

When the conversation flows beyond the praise, she knows to open her eyes again and unbend from her supplication. To hear of the others of the holcan is of no surprise; if anything Ajtun is annoyed to be one of the last to return, but this too she hides from sight. It serves no purpose to be overt.

We follow you through this life, to the next. A certainty. A pledge, burned in to her memory from years of tutelage.

her words draw a low rumble of contentment from ajaw. the words of the most faithful. they are unneeded, these things ajaw knows in the very marrow of their bones ... but it is nice to hear all the same.

small bits of validation here and there never hurt anyone, they'd argue.

a flick of their doe-like tail. a soft breath taken.

tell this one what you have seen of this godless land this far. though, ajaw supposes not necessarily godless anymore.

There are many souls here, she answered to his request.

To the east as I traveled, I found many signs of other factions. To the north is only water, but there are many more scents there. She did not have any specifics, as Ajtun did not linger long enough to probe their defenses or test their mercy; it had not been the objective, yet.

If it pleases you, I could make patrols further down the mountain and report back.

many souls.

ajaw has heard this, from her sisters and seen it for himself. their brief visitor, that had spit harsh words at them, comes to mind.

a thoughtful sigh leaves ajaw. they will have to seek out their neighbors, and soon. as diplomats. to extend the invitation to seasons gift. it would be upon them soon.

this one is fine with that, ajaw agrees. tread carefully around our neighbors until this one can go and formally greet them.

ajtun would be careful.

she took what ajaw commanded seriously, at all times; she was one to take all things seriously, to be honest. his decree was soft-spoken but well attended. she would find her way along the outer limits of this place, and further, so that there would be eyes everywhere.

the woman gave a solemn nod and held the pose - her head low, her body rigid - until dismissal.

for now, ajaw has no further words to speak.

ajtün takes the stance of one awaiting dismissal and ajaw gives it with a small nod of their head and the words, rest. take what you need from the caches. this one feels that tikal will be at it's strongest yet.

this ajaw feels in the marrow of their bones.

the time would come when they would gather the holcan, so that they may hold council as one unit, but for now, they seek them separately: hoping to find the scouting to bring them back to the suntouched canyon.