Bearclaw Valley it was all right with me

The conversation tapered off. Sif didn't know how to revive it, and instead, simply allowed it to die. She could not, however, bring herself to leave the injured woman's presence. She needed to be protected and looked after, even if Sif was a year or more her junior. So that she would not seem to loom, the dark girl lowered herself to her belly in the snow and watched Indra drink, a forlorn expression finding its way onto her face.

Who had hurt her? Sif did not like the idea of mean people out there in the wilderness, hurting the family that Wardruna and Xan seemed to be cobbling together. What if it was Poet next time?

"I will protect you," she offered in a small voice, not sure whether or not this would be welcome. Indra seemed nice enough, but hadn't seemed to desire her company, either.