Blacktail Deer Plateau there is only plan a

Shar-Kali nodded slowly - there was not a trace of judgement in her eyes. She thought it a peculiar arrangement, but if Lasher had managed to convince his mate to enter into an agreement which did not benefit her in the slightest, then he was a clever man indeed. Shar-Kali could respect such a creature, though she doubted Taltos saw it with such stark terms. Perhaps he thought Blue Willow would one day take a lover, and relieve him of his guilt. Shar-Kali guessed not, based on what little she knew of the pack's healer - by all counts, she was the model of a traditional wolf.

Eta sailed over her head. Until she headed up the pack, the elder would hold no title - at least not in her heart. "No - I will save what few I have for another walk in the woods. Thank you, for a warm welcome and for your time," the wintry queen offered, bowing her slim head without averting her eyes. Packed ice and forest gloom.