Cassiopeia's View Silence

she stood over the catch, panting.

the doe was dead. its blood pooled around her paws. medalina raised one, and watched how it glistened.

she raised her gaze, suddenly reminded of the other hunter -

but they had already left, ascending to a rocky peak.

her mouth was a thin line, briefly. she was reminded of a fellow dancer, in the mistbound wood.

medalina ate. carefully, her teeth plucked little bites. she was aware of the hunter's gaze. it was a challenge, maintaining composure.

when she had eaten that measured portion that she knew would last her a day, the huntress backed off.

as she did, she raised her head, and gave the fellow hunter a bark. 

would they understand? a part of her, the part which fluttered with unbridled emotion - the bad part - hoped they did.

medalina left the mountain. this favor would be remembered.