Swiftcurrent Creek To Where from Here

Tuwawi accepted his fib without much resistance, although Njal found himself growing steadily more unhappy by the entire situation. Had he been the one to arrive first, then maybe things would have been different. They could have had their training session in quiet and then, with an angry wife at his side, Njal would only have to calm her fire a little. Instead he was here with a precarious situation sitting before him. Ready to respond, to voice the idea that had popped in to his mind, Njal was cut off by the cooing voice of Xi'nuata. When she caught his attention the man's mouth closed, and he regarded her with the same respect he may have given to one of his own; although his ears did twist in a silent expression of apprehension, for he assumed Tuwawi would not take kindly to the words of the wanderer.

She spoke of things that Njal had no connection to, but with a rightful level of indignation for her treatment here at the borders. The man gave a small sigh as her words drifted, and then interjected before his wife could.

"It is my fault. I should have spoken to our leader prior, but I did not. Now, with the animosity between our groups," A side-glance was directed at Tuwawi, not out of a sense of blame, but to make sure she was keeping a level head, "The arrangement will have to be rethought. Perhaps cancelled indefinitely. It is our duty to protect our home and, for the moment, you are not welcome here." Njal was surprised to feel such guilt when he spoke. More than when he had spoken falsehoods in the presence of his own wife. He felt connected to Xi'nuata on some level, the way he once felt connected to Kindred or the habits they had held, but those bridges had to be burned now. They could not continue together any longer.

To punctuate his seriousness, the man's fur bristled and he advanced a step - partly between Tuwawi and Xi, with a brief look of apology that he hoped only the vale wolf would notice, and then he motioned with his nose to urge her away.