Blacktail Deer Plateau i surrendered to their fragrance

they did not flee their abode of crime; instead, they lingered. astara knew little of fear — her entire life had shaped her to such ignorant confidence, and so she moved among the shadowed boles with an ease to her step, one which defied the severity of their iniquitous coup. 

she was certain the boy rotted on the stony lip where he had fell, and she cared little of him after that. 

in her mind the boy was dead, no more important than the thousands of dead that left this world. astara was no more repentant than merrick, her shadow-leader and companion. glancing upon him with a roving gaze astara nibbled briefly across his nape, and then turned her sights quietly to the sullen forest — which for now was dimly quiet.