Redsand Canyon Trunk in the front like that shit Dumbo.

Rather than make any direct mention of her demotion, the Imperator gave her a task, as he so often did. Towhee usually took to these like a duck to water, relishing any opportunity to throw herself into an assignment. But she felt herself growing number with every word Germanicus spoke. It was nothing against him, or Glaukos, or even the request itself. It had nothing to do with her rank, for that matter.

She was still reeling from the thought of four of her favorite pack mates departing in one go. Towhee wondered if her emotions were disproportionate—perhaps another subtle sign of her changing hormones—but after a moment’s reflection, she didn’t think so. It was really shaking up her schema of the Mereo she’d come to love.

Of course, she said almost perfunctorily, a little horrified to note the pressure of tears building behind her eyes.