Bramblepoint culpa

six days. seven days. how long had it been now? six days to unwind his careful bindings. germanicus found the scent of the other laced with the dust, and with the scent of where crowfeather had searched for webbing.

was it his own weakness? was it only this presence? germanicus did not like to have been so disarmed. the reticence was a trained response, one of suspicion.

but there was nothing to suspect in the eyes turned toward him.

germanicus broke their gaze and turned, setting himself on aching feet. but the deeper peace had renewed him. "do you know where our destination is from here, crowfeather?" he inquired, returning rigidly to the role of instructor.