Redsand Canyon viriliter

germanicus offered because he was selfish.

because each passing day did not lessen his love for ruenna but reminded him that crowfeather existed so closely.

because each time he recalled this thing he thought of how many centurions and generals and tribuni he had known which pursued their male lovers in the field yet still returned to fulfilling existences with wives and children.

germanicus wished to allow himself the licentious luxury of entertaining this most utopic of ideals.

crowfeather's words jarred him into a deep reality. 

"i offer it because i want to offer it. and because i want you to be safe. but if mereo could not be any place of happiness for you, then i would like to help you elsewhere. it is — what i want."

he struggled.

"the neb gucci says that if you ever wish to come back to akashingo, his word for your stature is already granted." the diminutive  noble had said far more than that but he cared not to remember those truths for now. his sungold gaze was steady. "but i believe you hated akashingo. the world is vast. where would you care to go, crowfeather?"