Redtail Rise We are close to war.

Masque articulated what Riley was not clever or careful enough to interpret from watching alone. Connecting the little threads here, Riley recognized what she’d said earlier about his bachelor status was firmly cemented. Not that he had any reason to doubt her.

But that meant she too, was an outlier. He couldn’t help a sly gaze her way; she was younger than him, but not so young as to not be of interest. They were a good hunting pair - and their comradeship came with a general ease he didn’t find in most companions.

Besides all of that, Riley was very much in the same boat as the rutting elk whose calls occasionally split the air: testosterone ridden, hungry, and loveless.

For now.

A silence spread between them. Riley felt his own thoughts carry him away too. Finally, when Masque spoke again he was promoted to ask something that had been on his mind. How does that work? Multiple pairs, I mean. The leader doesn’t kick them out? And… aren’t you all related?