Swiftcurrent Creek Baptism

Jace resisted his comments, even going so far as to refuse him his simple considerations; however, Njal could not be angered by this. The boy was doing his duty. To have someone eager enough to deliver food to the couple was thrilling to some extent - and the thought of having Tuwawi all to himself for days on end brought a brief smile to his face. Another thought occurred to him then. It was somewhat irksome that the warden could be prevented from caring for his own wife, even if their own duty at this point was simply to enjoy each other's company and produce a girth of strong bodies for the creek's future. He felt weakened by the implications of this, and Njal's spine bristled in a thin wave as he pondered.

"Alright Jace," Njal's voice rumbled once more, keeping a level tone in order to avoid sharing his current thoughts, "I will be returning to the den. Perhaps you can find Ferdie and hunt with him for our breakfast," The older man turned in a steady arc and began to depart, following the rocks alongside the river. As the stones became true soil and then grass, his silver-streaked limbs were swallowed up by the fresh shoots of grass. "Or, fish, if you can convince him to try. What is the saying... Two birds with one stone?" He smirked as he turned away, taking a few more steps in the direction of the den, although he did not leave quite yet - twisting ears to catch any further comments from the dark boy.