Heron Lake Plateau now i’m free from what you are

She didn't catch Colt's parting comment—she hadn't noticed his arrival or his departure, honestly—otherwise she might have pointed out that there was a big difference between constructive criticism and outright attacking a leader's position. Towhee wanted to say a lot of things about this very subject to Caiaphas, yet this wasn't the time or place, even if it was probably her only opportunity. Although unable to hear most of the last shots fired in the war of words, Towhee knew she must do one simple thing: escort the would-be usurper and her ilk away from the plateau, by force if necessary.

But it didn't prove to be: Caiapahas began to move, her offspring sticking close and Towhee tailing the bunch. Her commandeering posture and the occasional show of her teeth demonstrated her lack of tolerance for anything but movement. Rapid movement, to be precise. She was glad they were largely cooperative, because the mercenary didn't want to lay a tooth or claw on any of them. She just wanted them gone.

When they were finally shown out of the territory, she would stand sentinel near the borders and make sure they were well and truly gone before going back to find Raven and the others. Any impulse to engage Caiaphas about her choices today would be repressed, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. None of it mattered now. She'd made a rash choice and paid the price for it, there was nothing else for it. Towhee had personally liked the she-wolf prior to this but reassured herself that the Redhawks wouldn't even feel the loss. In the end, Caiaphas had been dead weight.