Whitebark Stream conflict of interest

Whilst anger did not linger, disappointment was able to take hold and feed off its host—a parasite, truly, causing the girl to worry. She worried about what her mother might think, should she ever leave the Draconid Tribe again and seek out her daughter. She worried, too, if the right choice was made by leaving the lair behind. There would always be something about that place, a calling to return; whether or not it may ever be answered, even Kaori was not yet certain. But in the meantime, she explored the new territory as she could.

Drawn beneath the cover of the trees, the dragoness was not on her own for long. Footfalls told her of another approaching, light, and she refrained from steering herself in another direction. Rather, she met the female head-on, poised and curious but silent—watchful, wondering to herself what the other may be up to.