Swiftcurrent Creek love in my arms and the sun in my eyes

olive had brought herbs for the mothers, and he'd brought toys for the children. cortez often felt somewhat childlike himself, more connected to the babes than the adults that stood above them. pheasant feathers, tangled together wildly. bones too large to splinter and choke a pup, but not so large as to be overwhelming. this was all wrapped up within the pelt of a beaver, and he tugged it along, cursing his preparedness.

he could have just brought a carcass, or something. not an unwieldy bundle of knick-knacks that may not even be used.

still, he gave olive a smile when he dropped the bundle at the border, ears turning with her call. from his own investigation, there were mothers here; how they would receive the gifts was unknown to him. he hoped they would at least be appreciative. cortez thought he'd heard that swiftcurrent and elysium were close allies, if not all-out friends.