Bramblepoint Rose petals

germanicus felt he could no longer play pretense of not comprehending the sentiment held by crowfeather. but he held himself back from supposition, choosing a more circuitous route for his discovery. the way that his companion had said these words, their manner: the sound had sheared through him.

germanicus was silent again, though not so long as before. "very few wanderers are suited for fatherhood. children could not learn to love a man gone so often, and for so long."

but the eagle felt the heat upon his withers intensify, and found himself just then longing for the cool of a deep water.