Wheeling Gull Isle the songcord

caracal was leaving, though he assured her he would come back. heda nodded gently at this. her red-run friend enjoyed traveling far more than she, for he had family off-island while she did not.
heda was —
surprised! she gave a light laugh and reddened harshly under her fur, then slowly sobered to think of bartholomew.
she had left him to his god and still there was aching in her soul.
heda glanced down at the earth between caracal's wandering paws. "i think," she said softly as she brought her head up to study the joyous young man who had come to sweetharbor. 
"i think i should listen to god when he puts someone in front of me."
her throat hurt, to think of her mentor, to love him. but he had not been her path.
"yes, caracal."