Silverlight Terrace I'll betray you like a man

Aureli and Delos had left on their first trip together, leaving Leto to only linger nearby. She knew better than to insert herself into the business of the pair.

She had to admit, it felt strange to travel like this after so long. Pack life had been more comfortable than she imagined, but she had no intention of abandoning Delos to return to Verapaz. All she could do now was try to make herself useful.

Crouched in the grass, she watched from a distance as two mountain goats, a female and her young, grazed. Not much of a mountaineer she didn't see these often, but supposed they had come down for a decent meal. They were much bulkier than she remembered.

he was not so stealthy, not at his age and certainly not at his size. but he wasn't interested in the goats so much. they weren't at a number that kigipigak felt confident in hunting — if there had been more, the odds of catching one before they could escape would have been greater. he noticed them, of course — one turned its head and faced its ears towards him as he lumbered close — but the other did not appear worried.

the climb had tuckered him out. kigipigak did not want to admit to that, and was thankful he was alone in his struggle — oblivious for the time being that someone lay in wait, also watching the goats — and he let out a deep-chested yawn which split his jaw wide.

gone were the days where he was welcome among the tartok, or the dawn-people; he had not seen any of his children in some time, and when he thought of his past wives he felt only empty. he was lonely, and tired, and far from the boisterous creature he had been years ago.