Redtail Rise XX

their eyes were open! they looked at him.

his lips shook. his jaws were loose with an excited noise. his tail wagged faster behind him, waving up a cloud of dirt now! he touched each of them, one at a time; nose to nose, exchanging breath.

and then they folded away, back into new snow's warm embrace. he too pulled away.

but augur was pleased, and licked what part of her pelt he could reach, eyes still slitted and joyous and paws reaching for her as well.

at last he would retire back to his place as sentinel, ears twitching at each sound which came from the den.