Bitterroot Valley énska

anyone from Saatsine?

Baa had bade her go ahead, to travel from the waning lands of the east to seek new frontiers elsewhere. Following the sun and stars had led her here, and it was a place that seemed fruitful—but loneliness was beginning to set in.

For Rising Sun had always been closely devoted to her family, and life without them by her side was a monotonous blur of tiresome days and sleepless nights. She sang their names to the sky in vain hope that they'd hear. 

And, perhaps, if they did not follow soon, she would return and bring them herself.

The caribou had come through this place. The woman followed their trail, sniffing at old droppings and examining the deep hoofprints in the snow. She licked her lips and thought of a feast; her stomach rumbled loudly in response.

A lonely, hungry existence. May the gods spare her from it soon.

with possession burnt male interest. his desire would be set entire upon the starwoven at his side; it did not preclude him from brief intrigue in those other women who might soon come to firelife.

his walk was a proud thing, a shadow against pale snow. sun eater stopped some lengths away, tail a dark wave in the otherwise glow of gleam upon drifts.

did she hunger?

pride; he was chieftain of the caribou, and no flesh was felled without the heed of his teeth. in silence the eye watched, sun eater stiff-legged and dominant.

She knew a titan when she saw one.

Rising Sun, mouth slightly agape, dropped into a bow, tail tucked between her legs. Everything about the man was commanding and fearsome—

His scars, chief of which the jagged mess along one eye. His dark pelt, and stout frame. His demeanor, self-assured and lofty.

I. . .hunt with you? she managed in the few common-tongue words she knew, looking upon him in query.

For his pelt held the trail of the caribou, and she would not survive without it.

she submitted and he was pleased, though it showed not any upon the close of his somber face. season had not come to the woman and so he moved somewhat closer. "who you?" sounded the thick accent and the growl of his voice.

two had come from the creek. men lurked close. a handsome hunter dined with saatsine. these things set him on edge and kept him from extending immediate entry. not until he knew who she was.

He demanded her name. That was his right. She continued to hold a submissive position, staring at his chest rather than his eyes.

Ah, Rising Sun, my name, she replied, nodding. I hunt. I help hunt.

Slowly, she began to rise, though not to any height close to his. Her gaze raked the ground as she waited, tail held low and still. She needed meat, desperately. She could not find anything substantial without the help of a pack.

her name pleased him, perhaps an errant mindlessness on his part, but he relaxed all the same. "i am sun eater. saatsine is name of my clan. come. you will hunt."

he did not wait; he turned and moved into the snow, single eye searching for the one which teeth and blessing would fell today.