Otatso Wetlands Break free and leave us in ruins

Transfixed, Stag could only watch in budding horror as an unseen rage sprung from Mahler like a serpent, encircling Zane. The ensuing scramble was more of a thrashing than a fight — but Zane did not for a minute earn any sympathy from Stag as he fled. 

No, Stag’s attention was firmly on Mahler; what would he do, now that the hound had been driven from them? Would he turn fang against Stag, whose heart violently opposed such an idea even though some animal instinct willed him it must be so; that he must stand and fight for Wylla — not just out of his own loyalty to her, but some other snaking reason too. 

All of this was barely recognized by the Sandraudiga, who tensed coldly for every step Mahler came towards them; towards her. Wylla had not moved either — like him, her focus had likely been taken entirely by the grim commander who now spoke, voice low and open. 

A flush came to Stag’s cheeks in rage. That he could come to them, that he could seek out Wylla now and not any other time when her season didn’t adorn her — and speak of unimaginables like fatherhood! As if that was all that mattered; not Stag’s displacement from his home (or hers), not the brokenness of the family Mahler had sired, not the shattered fields of Wylla’s heart — no, just fatherhood. Was Wylla’s uterus a clown car then? Only useful for one purpose, and to that end discardable thereafter?

Stag bristled immediately, a low growl slung from his throat; a scoff for lack of better term. His heart and tongue burned with the words he could not say — must not say — to the man he had long regarded as a father. 

He did not want to steal from Wylla her chance to speak, as much as he wished to rebuff Mahler immediately. As much as a very strong urge suggested he should push this threatening bachelor away, Stag remained for the most part motionless. 

A long look to Wylla then, surveying her mood before he made his move. If she wished for Mahler to be gone, Stag would step forward bidding the general leave — but if Wylla crumbled and accepted Mahler’s presence, Stag would give them their spaxe... even if it broke his heart to do so.