Lion Head Mesa Within the garden gates

germanicus watched the shadow anxiously move his feet as he relayed this message. it occurred to him that he had not asked crowfeather to move into his room. 

it occurred to him that being here at all might be quite a moment for the young ranger. the eagle felt truly that he had betrayed something between them that wine-sodden evening.

"the saints have pursued ursus for many miles. i do not know what happened between them before. but his intelligence is invaluable at this time."

the fact the stranger would not hesitate jeopardized his own planning in some way. "i will speak to him."

a silence followed. the imperator finally sat upon his furred coverlet, over enough that the healer could join him. "you are afraid," germanicus said when the quiet had become too much.