Phoenix Maplewood true like ice, true like fire

augur had gone home to see the children he might have sired, and to see red woman.

he had also been to follow buffalo hunter, though he had lost her scent in the taiga.

he smelled of many wolves and milk and chewed meat when he came to answer new snow then. he smelled of wild things and milkweed grasses and the marrow of heavy bison bones he had cracked.

he smelled of pack.

and it remained to be seen how new snow might take this or how red woman might receive what she might consider betrayal.

he growled as he came down upon her, and pushed his massive frame against her own, seeking to lave the top of her muzzle with his wide tongue.