Lion Head Mesa [ap] I'd rather have the right man, than the right wedding.

he did not know how to explain his permanent feeling upon the war. or how crowfeather's wounds had affected him.

"from anyone who seeks to maim and murder and escape justice," the man answered quietly. but the sound of his own voice had begun to feel disingenuous. ruenna had looked beneath his words and found them wanting. 

the eagle was silent for a moment.

lady redfern had been as enduring and open a companion as he could have hoped.

"i am not sure crowfeather will be able to travel far, even after he heals."

the words hung hushed and ashen against the cloying laughter of the fellahin. "i do not want to be in akashingo. i loathe its excess."

a pause.

"but so long as crowfeather is here, i must be close. i thought that i would only remain here for the winter and take him east once spring had come. now i do not know."

germanicus fell silent. he cleared his throat. "you must forgive my words which are so bitter upon a wedding day, lady ruenna."