Redtail Rise Ghost Buffalo

Forward came the hunters, though not all of them. Masquerade huffed out a breath and squinted, as if they just couldn’t make out their shapes in the stormy air. But, no, neither their brother nor their cousin were here. Perhaps they had been further away and would join the hunting party shortly.

In the meantime, the Caru set aside their own zealotry to address the pups, only to see that Sky was missing. All the others were accounted for and Masque noticed New Snow lingering near her girls. They couldn’t help but feel something clench deep inside them, their own voice echoing in their head: “Do I belong here, Augur? Am I needed?”

If anyone should be responsible for the pups, it should be me, they said, striding toward her, submissive despite their insistence. I am Caru, they reminded her, though I also believe all of them know better than to interfere. They know they must stay put and watch.

Their eyes traveled from one youth to the next, giving each a meaningful look, before glancing at New Snow. Masquerade felt they should both be able to join the hunt at this point in the pups’ lives, giving the children and their own childrearing skills some due credit.