Northstar Vale I don't mean to be guarded, I don't mean to be rude

Zulema was perceptive and careful with her suggestion. It wasn’t something that Antigone would recognize, in that moment. His feelings of disgust and discomfort were too overwhelming. The red-hooded boy couldn’t help but think of the man’s disfigured scars and mutilated flesh. He couldn’t fathom having pride in such a thing, such a hideous thing.

Alright. Let’s go find berries to stock in the medicine den, the boy suggested. His navy stare was still fixed on the place where Reyson had disappeared. His chest was tight and heavy. When Antigone turned away from the place where they’d met the soldier, he released a breath and walked with his sister into the shadows of the vale.