Lost Creek Hollow fuck this shit

the apology that was meant to placate her audience had the opposite effect -- perhaps indra should have anticipated laurel's reaction, for she had always been the only soul to steadfastly enforce their best interest. as her sister nudged her comfortingly, indra wondered just how terribly she would come to regret this decision in the future. she half-expected terance to bristle at the venom in laurel's gaze, yet he took it calmly in stride. naturally, this did little to make indra feel better -- if anything, she felt even worse for driving the spear deep into terance's back while he simply - benevolently - accepted it.

a small part of her wanted him to fight back; to rile against their words or simply tell them they were not going -- why did he have to be so damn understanding? it made leaving all the harder.

laurel's edict on their children (or specifically, her own) being left behind caused some protest in indra, though it was marten who first voiced his dissent. she spared the boy a soft smile, feeling small pangs of hurt and guilt press firmly against her sides. if she allowed marten to come, even if he was nearly full grown, he would only hinder their progress: and at worst, might have his own safety compromised in the process.

never had indra felt so oppressively stuck between a rock and a hard place: choose her children, or choose laurel?

sighing, indra nipped affectionately at the spot behind marten's ear. "you can't come." her voice lacked the strength her composure did; it was cracked and strained. "you have to stay with nuna and merrick -- and protect them, okay?"