Redtail Rise LI

red woman and stone man faced each other over the whimpering form of a child they might have created.

her voice was soft. he listened.

a swing of his muzzle. there was no fight between them. augur would not shed redtail blood, and if his own was sought he would only leave.

it was wolverine. the yellow eyes were quiet. red woman had left. he had put another as leader. but not as wealda.

his breath shuddered over the marks that skin tooth had made, had left behind.

the boy was angry. he walked the rise in rage. augur heard it, felt it, and yet had not responded.

perhaps his faith in self had weakened.

new snow was given a look. they quarreled. but did not fight. thorn caller fell.