Firefly Ravine baby did a bad, bad thing

he left her; he lingered, noting not only the position of the herd, but that of the frosts, of the snowfall, the stars overhead. from the east, the scent of salt — the winterlashed ocean reached far, he thought with some amusement. 
it was time that he returned to the mountains, mahler decided, and resolutely turned his steps in that direction. his thoughts traveled to takiyok, however. how would she fare? some selfish part of him wished that she —
ahead, a dark form, too thin and wandering. another familiar figure, though he did not look upon this one with the same fondness. the male changed the trajectory of his path, nearing the would-be thief with a confident lope, and slowing to let out a rumbling chuff in her direction. she seemed lost, this sea-eyed woman — what was she doing here?