Stone Circle The Question

indra pressed gently against marten's nudge, her features softer now. she could eat later -- if marten would allow -- but for now she could tell something hung in the air yet unsaid. the stones marten mentioned indra was fond of too, but somehow she did not believe this was the root of his discomfiture. the way marten's expression changed, how he almost seemed to fret -- indra would be a poor mother if she did not recognize the shift in his disposition.

"i like that too," indra replied softly, hiding the sorrow in her voice. family -- it was all she wanted -- and yet, whatever order above seemed hellbent on ripping her family to tatters. "what is it, marten?"