Iktome Plains You asked me how long

In all the time that their children were missing, her promise had been the only thing to keep her fettered to the cliffs. She would not break it... but the children were coming. Erzulie could not hunt and, just as she had last year, Rosalyn felt the driving need to do her part. She stalked the borders endlessly, particularly those of the Sound, and brought back what prey she could find. On the rare occasion, like today, a trail took her into the neighboring lands. Never far.

Rosalyn picked up the stoat she'd just brought down and began to move slowly back towards the cliffs. Nothing had been simple these past few weeks and, while Erzulie made appearances that all was fine, Rosalyn could not shake her worry. Knowing that a good part of the stress was her doing, intentional or no, did nothing to help. Even last year she hadn't felt this.

The sky was darkening. She should get home, but she allowed her steps to slow even further, drinking in the quiet.