Hideaway Strath lacrima

Father and daughter exchanged a few whispered words before the latter departed. Meerkat said nothing, eyes trailing after Valiria for a moment as she disappeared into the strath. Her brow knitted slightly.

Germanicus’s voice recaptured her attention. “Domina”? she wondered, though she didn’t ask what it meant. Meerkat shook her head gently at the apology, lips twitching a little at the mention of peace.

Peace is all we want, she said. I’ll leave you to settle in, she added, seeing no particular reason to linger much longer. Take care.

Meerkat offered him a polite smile, then turned to begin the trek back home. She glanced back to see if he was watching her, eyes panning up to the rocky outcroppings behind him. She would not turn him away, should he pay them a neighborly visit at the copse, though Meerkat felt an uneasiness creep through her.

She was glad she’d make the trip, held out an olive branch, though she would not soon darken this doorstep again.