Redtail Rise Life and death

Mountain Boulder had been her first tie to the Rise. Then, Red Woman. 

But it was the Red Woman’s cubs, as well as her own, that had tethered her for a time. Now that they were grown, New Snow knew she and he could go anywhere. But it was for these children that now she remained. Her love for them was a great and powerful thing. And she felt loyalty to them each. 

She did not think that Mountain Boulder felt differently. Even with their travels New Snow had not come to that thought. 

As he mouthed at her fur, New Snow gave happy rumbles of contentedness. She flung a foreleg around him and pressed her nose to his own, a gentle show and reaffirmation of their bond. 

Her ears flattened against her crown as she sniffed at him. Red Woman was there still. New Snow whined softly, here with him to share all things—even this terrible sadness.