see the new moon rising

She sipped and settled. Kerosene, relaxed in the waters, basking in their cool temperatures as he ran one paw over the slick stone beneath him. It felt weird beneath his paw and so he rubbed the unfamiliar texture absentmindedly until the algae wore off and left the stone somewhat disfigured.

He looked to her. "We haven't spoke of it, but I must apologize for Zhavvi. The second plains wolf. I did not expect her to be so reckless." He remembered that look she'd given him when he'd told the girl to run. The time to speak of it had not yet come, but he remembered that unhad discussion and resurfaced it now. Better to clear the air than to leave it thick between them.

"I encountered her on my travels. Sparred with her. Ran into her again a few weeks ago and since she seemed somewhat amicable I thought I might use the opportunity to gain insight on her people. She taught me a couple words. Run? I taught her that one. Outside of that, she doesn't speak a lick of the common tongue and understands nothing."

He continued. "I take care to mask my origins when I travel. I'm not sure how she followed me back or thought to look for me at the Spine, but she came and must have thought, in knowing me, that she could enter without consequence. She thought wrong. It will not happen again."