Redsand Canyon Now time for Plan A

*heart eyes*

Your son is my soldier.

Bronco’s heart plunged and his eyes widened. Killdeer never would have pledged to be a soldier, he was only a boy. He made a frail attempt to shake his head but felt himself freeze when another arrived, staring him down. His thoughts swarmed and buzzed, an angry nest of wasps disturbed and disorganized. He stepped back with one hind foot as Germanicus neared, and he pulled his tail between his legs but remained rooted still. 

His son’s voice pulled his attention, and he looked to see Killdeer bounding toward them. Hastily, he tensed, in case either Germanicus or his companion made a move toward his son, whose warm greeting faltered as soon as he felt the tension. 

He waited a moment, to reply, as though testing to see if he had permission to speak to his son. Germanicus had made it clear that he was being ordered away. He looked at his son, still too young and naive for the ways of battle. 

”Varmint…” He whispered, wishing he could simply sweep his son away, and find somewhere they could live and be without the pomp, circumstance and sacrifice of unnecessary war.

He returned his gaze to Germanicus. ”I’ll fight in his stead.” He said. ”Spare my son from this battle. If not-“ He already sensed he’d lost any chances at bartering for his son’s safety, after confessing that he was useless in a fight. ”Just let me be his shield.”