Heron Lake Plateau A beating heart of stone.

caiaphas had finished, and so spent, drew a quiet gaze to her comrade. she had not expected the accolades that followed: it was with a grim mouth that she accepted them with a low dip of her sharp skull.

whatever she might have mustered in response was spoken for her; how strange it was that from wreckages, diamonds often appeared -- she hated the role she played in such an unraveling tale, and resented the loss with profound loathing. there were things she would have changed were destiny in her own gnarled hands: the fate of the bear, the fortunes of those at easthollow --

how fortunate it was then, that caiaphas controlled little destiny outside her own, for the world would have been sown to ruin in her hands.

towhee's platitudes were received with an idle shrug, but the following question elicited the lift of her simmering gaze. "yes, we are fine. grateful." in truth, caiaphas had felt rudderless since coming here; but her life was built around her children, and her children prospered.

that was all that mattered to the siren queen.

"although, if there is something leadership should require of me, i would be glad to receive it."