Blacktail Deer Plateau and thereby open wide the door

she surprised him; he blinked slowly as she spoke with finality, having reached a decision without the days of time the man had assumed she needed. to her gentle question he gave a silent nod; he laid alongside her, placing his muzzle across the black velvet of her shoulders.

her sigh provoked one of his own; the air blown forth from his nares ruffled the fur along her withers. he had lost peregrine, and blue willow had lost atticus. they would rebuild themselves in a union, though their hearts would not be entwined.

or perhaps one day they would — lasher was not a scryer. who could know the future? and so he remained quiet; he would lie beside the willow until she rose and went about her day.