Bramblepoint the winding road

 

Hemlock did not expect solitude for long - not when she could smell on the wind the scents of many more. Oblivious to the rise of tension in the wilds at large, she had no idea of the expectations for war. It was nice in that sense to only have her own issues to focus on. To her though, Hemlock felt like she was drowning - there was not enough air in her lungs to support her needs. Nor, more importantly, the needs of her children. 

Before too long another female approached and while they were on a neutral playing field, Hemlock did not respond with abject submission. Her stance was proud, if not refined, hardened by her experiences. The question wasn't unexpected either - it was a common enough one to have when it came to strangers passing through the world at large. "Hemlock Kali," She answered smoothly. "And you are?" it was an expected response after all given a typical interaction. "You live near here?" Again, almost boring and utterly expected - but still Hemlock was curious about things.