Dawnlark Plains And kiss her lips and take her hands

guilt settled into Casmir, that he had not accepted Saena's offer. how could he be so callous? she had given him all that he had. anger then spoke, demanding to know why the pale woman dared ask this of him, but it died away. it was decided, and there was no room for a quarrel. tears pressed themselves behind his eyes, and finally Casmir gave up the ghost of his fight, and let one fall into the tipped-up corner of the smile he feverently offered his beloved cousin. 

slowly, he approached, tail flagging at his hips, muzzle outstretched to touch her for perhaps the last time, if she allowed. in many ways, Saena was his closest friend. he had grown distant from Eilidh and Constantine and Emaleth -- Deirdre alone understood him, and she was devoted entirely to Donnelaith. his parents were gone; Saena and her girls were all he had left of any other family, and now they would separate too. Cas didn't know if he was being dramatic; he could feel nothing beyond the great rift splitting in his heart.

but her words beckoned him to lift his chin, and understand what it was Saena sought to give him. she had built the Maplewood, and when that fell, she had found the strength to build the Creek. and now she gave it to him, over Spring's head -- he remembered how he had refused to follow the other woman out of the ashes of Saena's disappearance, and that feeling came to him now. Spring was much beloved, but the Creek belonged to Saena.

and now to him, it seemed.

Casmir nodded, a small gesture. "i will." his tones held grief, an upturned vessel waiting to be broken, but it held firm. he would do as she directed; he accepted fully the great legacy Saena gave to him now.