Lion Head Mesa tenax

germanicus felt the selfishness rising in him again. why could he not marry ruenna and also keep crowfeather close? it was an acceptable enough arrangement for the nobility of editum. 

it was not utterable.

the eagle watched the emotions play upon the shadow's face and shame welled within him. like a struck wellspring he was rushed and flooded with how badly he had misstepped. he should have only accepted the lady redhawk's proposal and told crowfeather after. or perhaps before. but he should not have made it this horrific.

now he stood in unsurety.

"happiness is not the measure of a man. it is his discipline." germanicus felt his voice falling and becoming hushed as crowfeather at last lay down again.

the urge to step forward, to pass his muzzle over the darkened cheek, was strong. but the eagle found its very conception disrespectful. look how he had hurt the shadow with his ineptitude.

the imperator was silent. he took the gesture of the injured young noble as a dismissal. how could it be anything else?

"no matter what is decided, i want still to travel east with you."

the edges of his words felt edged and too raw.

germanicus turned and departed the small room.

and when he was alone once more, he let his throat thrum with grief. happiness. he had seen its excess here. he must escape it and his own sundering wants.