Blacktail Deer Plateau gold

Arsenio was silent and withdrawn.

Saleem and Sylianos followed in the footsteps of their older siblings—drifting away on the wind.

Meadow was far too aware of the heartache that came when family left you, and so it was with wistful knowing that she looked upon Tamar now. A rust-colored ear flicked forward at the gentle sound of one of winter’s remaining birds. Spring, perhaps, would bring new promise.

She skirted forward, silent, a wisp of a thing—sidling up beside Tamar and leaning into the woman. “Sister,” she greeted—a reminder that they had chosen one another not by blood, but from bond.