Redtail Rise Obey your master

strangling him.

Aventus was angry, and rightfully so. she couldn't be faulted for not having the whole picture, instead finding her brother looming over Blood and her on the ground, ironically befitting her name. one of the boys had fought back.

that bade well for them as future warriors.

and as for her daughter. . .

you didh whahh'? Avicus snaps, the final 't' replaced instead by a glottal grunt. she glances down at the pathetic girl, who's rolled over like a dead, squashed bug.

hypocrite. they were both hypocrites. hadn't they picked on the runts in the Valley? but this is different. they are family. and Avicus had buried the hatchet with her brother long ago.

or so she thought. she isn't so sure now, seeing the look in his eyes, hearing the fury in his voice. she turns to Aventus again. not submissive, not cowering, her chin still held high. but her own gaze has stopped burning.

i did'nh know, she says, her own tone cool, trying to calm the both of them down. for their own sake, and for the sake of Blood's foolish hide. it will nohh' happen again. i will make 'hhure.

she needs the lot of them. without Aventus and his family, their numbers drop precipitously.

no more wan'ering away from me, an' don' come near 'em again, she says gravely to Blood, dipping her head toward the boys in illustration. now gehh' up. now.