Spotted Eagle Mountain pomegranate

she would learn, and she would report back all she gathered to makono, to strengthen her hold upon the warriors there. her friend would become entrenched with knowledge, shoring up her power; although nazli did not think in these exact terms, she knew it would be of value and she loved that she could provide.

makono was laughing with her. together they ran, and the slightest bump of the crown prince against nazli invited a game rather than a hunt; nazli felt suddenly overwhelmed by a warm flood of emotion that was the antithesis of the sorrow from the past few days.

she chased makono more than any scent, or sign of prey. bumping her shoulder-to-shoulder, or reaching to playfully nip at the girl's chin. these were carefully done, these movements - not to be misconstrued as attacks or any such thing - and always deferential in their placement.

nazli was stealing these moments while she could.