Redtail Rise XLV

With only Augur and his silent presence, Masquerade felt as though they could revisit the point they’d attempted to make during that blighted meeting. They’d had much more time to think things through since then.

I’ve fought for this pack, Masque said quietly, and helped protect it against countless threats. But because I chose the path of a caregiver, I am considered beneath the hunters and warriors.

This was the hierarchy in the rise, as Masquerade understood it. And with Ashlar in the wind, they were the only Banhus left in the pack, a lone representative of the importance of more than just brute strength to uphold their society.

If the rise values its caretakers as much as its fighters, they should be represented in the leadership, Masque concluded, swallowing tightly.

They were not dominant and they did not seek power over others. But especially with Redd and Relic abstaining from leadership, Masquerade also felt it fell to them to step up and out of their comfort zone. The Heafod wasn’t just missing a caretaker, it was still missing a Redtail.