Meadowlark Prairie Tsukareta

the man was skilled in the snow. 

tamar wondered if she would be half so talented in the future. she watched him tear through the drifts, coming down upon his prey with a savage and swift bite.

when he returned it was in delight and graciousness. tamar smiled despite herself, despite the fact that he was a stranger. "the butt," she declared. "you may eat the eyes."

it was good to laugh, even softly, away from akashingo. was this what arsenio had meant by freedom?