Redtail Rise Do your dirt, make your mark

"the mountains," he answered promptly. "i travel now vith a man called stigmata.  he has gathered others." it would not replace her own family, and he could understand well the need to continue searching. takiyok's loss was great, fresh, riven across her heart like a brand. but loneliness — no. he did not wish to leave her wandering alone here, searching for bodies she might not find until the spring melting arrived.
wary as always, he saw in her vibrant eyes, and for this he respected her more. of course she would question, even amid her grief. she knew him not, only tolerated his company. there was little reason for the northerner to accompany him so far from where she had once lived, only the logic of being alone in the time of snow. whatever her decision, mahler would respect it.