Porcupine Ridge Greenland fisheries.

the brief lesson he had given to the boy veteran had stayed in the man's mind.

it shone after ruenna's echoing words: that children born in mereo would be raised as soldiers.

and it reminded the imperator of the sons he might father in the canyon.

the eagle extended his stride and attempted to pull thoughts of the shadow from his mind. long drills, early mornings, and late nights had left him with little time alone.

the darkness before the sun brought him to a ridge. here he paused to catch his breath, quieting himself slowly. he felt the presence of eyes and glanced around until his own alit upon a torchlight pair in the darkness. "hail," he greeted, not yet approaching.