the first time germanicus had been here, a vestal clad in moonweave white had accompanied him.

but he had been a centurion then, bound to his gods. bound to his honor.

and now he hunted a pagan witch through slimed water.

the messenger from swiftcurrent creek bore a message (@Jasmine, @Akavir, @Arric) and in it bore a description that was too familiar, too akin to what @Aquillius had said.

germanicus went to gunnar and to faun with a deal: she would watch over his son. he would go to hunt this woman who had set her sights not only on the creek but now haunted aquillius. it was the only reason he might have gone.

in exchange for kvarsheim's guardianship, he would spend a season among them, and asked then to be ranked in their numbers.

the older man must be given time to consider it. the eagle meant to return once before he began his hunt.

now germanicus stood in the marsh. he went to the places described, searched for blood and fur and the faintest signs of battle.

in the end, he chose to go south, but not before he went back to kvarsheim. he would leave in another morning.