Ocean's Breath Plateau oil lamps

He spoke of humility, but the panther sprawled in a way that was made to draw attention to his large figure, and to the shiny-pink lacerations adorning his hip. On crossed forelegs he laid upright, sphinx-like, while his good flank held his weight and kept tension out of his aching leg muscles. Through the pale fur of his belly — what little of it could be seen — showed the old scars left by Tendua.

This was largely for the benefit of the young men present, who must surely aspire to such hunts as the one he and Chakliux had undertaken together, but the peacock in him preened also under the eye of two — and then just one — beautiful woman.

"I very nearly took a piece out of him myself," he groused to Tullik, although the crinkle of his eyes spoke of his esteem for the other man. "Thankfully, it was not his flesh that gave first."

But that was all he would speak of their hunt; Marina was still within earshot, and it seemed disrespectful to make a story out of what must surely have become her nightmares.

His eyes trailed after the seal hunter as he served his wives with joyful devotion, a subconscious smile showing a sliver of his teeth. After that, he made an effort to focus on the boys — it would not do to come here and stare at another man's wives!

"I hear you two have your own battle wounds, now!" he said to them, his tail thumping his encouragement. "It was a great hunt, I hear. I was sorry to have missed it. I have not participated in so large a hunt before. The closest I've come are the water hunts in the red desert. Many creatures come together for this — not just wolves alone."

There was a glimmer in his eyes. He waited to see if this piqued anyone's interest.