Otter Creek every step that i take

Charles knew tensions were high and there was talk of war, but he didn't know exactly how high tensions were. He honestly didn't even know (or remember) that Ramesses was involved in all of this, either. He'd forgotten (or repressed) that the man even existed at all. When he heard the voice, a shudder ran down his spine involuntarily, even moreso at the commanding tone that the man wielded. The coywolf instinctively ducked down, but he was already discovered; it was too late.

Ramesses seemed to settle when he realised that it was only Charles. Charles himself was not sure whether he should be relieved or insulted that he posed no threat to the man. His eyes remained hard and a threat was uttered. Charles found that when he reached into his heart — and not even very deeply — a part of him longed for death's sweet embrace. Perhaps then he, too, would be free from this miserable life.

I do not smell borders here, he said to Ramesses, a little defensively. Charles' body was submissive, though mostly involuntarily so, driven by his instincts and his body's will to survive, even if the mind did not entirely agree.