Redtail Rise Life and death

New Snow held him for a moment before he withdrew, and listened to his keening dirge. Her sadness for him grew, and elevated also her own feelings on the matter. She tilted her head back and sang with him. 

Their breaths mingled in smoky tendrils, swirling and rising with their notes this cold winter day. New Snow did not ponder where one went when one died—she knew only that Red Woman was dead, and that her hunters crouch would never be seen again. The pain of it would linger for some time. 

But hearing the voice of her man with her own, New Snow knew neither of them would need to carry this loss alone. When at last her own song had ended, she pressed her head against his shoulder and let out a sigh. 

The sky had grown dark, they had been singing for so long. Had others joined them? She did not know. But now she felt very tired, and she nosed her man toward the rendezvous so that he would lead them there.