Redtail Rise the colloquy of monos and una

an ultimatum. 

augur understood very little but this he did comprehend: that red woman had returned to purge their ranks of the disloyal, and that the expression in her face suggested she already considered him in this category.

he was wounded, as much perhaps as a feral wolf might be. were she anyone else, he would never have allowed her to approach it wolverine. but she was red woman, and her might had created the rise.

he had preserved her place as wealda and kept her children from harm, filled the bellies of the hunters so that they in turn might protect the rise. her first litter might very well be his own. 

now his yellow eyes turned hard. augur did not challenge red woman. his tail had fallen and he was quite still, unmoving.

the broad muzzle tested the air with a quick swipe of tongue. it tasted harsh and metallic. wolverine and skin tooth would be gone in spring with no cubs to challenge red woman. but it was not enough. and perhaps as a man he did not understand this particular piece of the hierarchy.

his nose twitched. if he left, his family would too depart. moon runner had dispersed for now. but flame stalker was old enough to choose for herself.

augur was a statue. he did not wish to leave redtail rise. it was his home, that of his mate. four children had been born to him here. was he to lose it for not driving out a fellow leader?

a whine, incredulous.