Lake Rodney In the rain

germanicus shifted as crowfeather came awake. "you dreamt," he observed, having watched over the slumbering boy these past long hours.

it occured to him that he might ask after these visions. the young wanderer would tell him. but germanicus only considered this notion in silence and let it go.

"there is food by your paw," a collection of fieldmice killed in sight of the trees. he had not wanted to leave the coppice for larger prey, as it would have demanded that the boy be left alone.

"wake and eat. when you are ready, come to the lake. there is more to do this day." germanicus turned now, taking in the sight of the long sprawled body, and gave a quick, elusive smile before he stepped out into the day still wet with the last hours' rain.