Stone Circle What has caused chips to fall?

In their talking, Taktuq stayed her tongue.

While stern, Gunnar chose his words with tactful precision, and though the confrontation pained her, Taktuq knew that to let this slip on unaddressed would not only harm Kvarsheim, but Tauris herself. She had never known this side of their Nornir, the one that erupts like a child before them — and in seeing her unbridled emotion, her heart only sinks deeper.

Perhaps they had given her too much.

No. Taktuq’s stubbornness cuts in quick. No, Tauris still had much to learn in forgiveness, and restraint, but she was a loyal member — a loyal sister, and Nornir. She meant the best for their pack. And she and Gunnar meant the best for her.

It was, in part, a selfish thought. Tauris was the closest thing to a sister she’d ever had. Even if they were not bound by blood, she wanted her to stand here alongside her, as it had been with her mother and her aunt…

She gave Gunnar a long look.

Tauris, she spoke gently and took a small step towards her, we chose you as Nornir because we see your potential. We see your devotion. We value your heart. We speak now because we love you, this, she knew, was true, you have made a mistake but we give you a second chance, to learn and grow — as we all have had to do. As we all must do. And we ask you to extend this to Bonario, too. With the kindness we receive, we all must learn to give, and the bear wolves came to mind. The witch. Her heart grew troubled, what he did to you was wrong, but what if his heart is truly set to change? If we rub his past in his face, he might never get the chance to be more than what he was.

And Taktuq trusted Gunnar’s judgments. Perhaps the boy would need five, six, seven chances, but as long as he did not threaten the pack, Kvarsheim had many to give.