Moonsong Glacier In Berlin

The panther came out of hiding, meandering slowly down the slopes. He wondered if the warrior child could take on this man — in his current state, it seemed likely. Perhaps earning battle scars would dissuade her from her chosen purpose, or perhaps she would grow in strength for having proved herself.

But the man did not act aggressively. Dutch waited for it, suspicious of his slurring speech, but the scent on the breeze was of poison and not of sickness.

Ariadne arrived before he met them. The panther further slowed his movements, listening in as he slipped silently into the background of the interaction — a visual reminder to the unknown male of his precarious position.