the attitude of the plateau had changed; it had become subdued between the trees, quiet, resplendent in the shadowed places with sorrow, and with anger. lasher had kept up his hunting duties, though it had become mechanical, bringing him no pleasure. his murkwater eyes had appraised the pups when he had seen them, and today he arrived unbidden near the root that saēna had been staring at for some time, unbeknownst to him.
the delta stepped out near her in time to hear the child's breathless words, and he blinked down at the rust-marked girl silently. saēna, he murmured presently, his voice just above a whisper. are you all right?
she could not be, he reasoned, but some small slant of hope kept him from pondering this, and he awaited her response tensely.