Redtail Rise LXIV

These events were doing more to shake Redd’s foundation than she was willing or able to admit.  She had no words, not that they needed them anyway, and knew there was nothing she could do to change the choices others had made.  This was what she clung to.  Masquerade had not trusted her; she had given her leadership only to immediately revoke it.  She had given her loyalty only to swiftly revoke that too.  The pack needed better than this.  If she came back contrite Redd would not turn her away, but that trust would take time to rebuild.

If it were Wealda’s own decision, Caru would no longer lead.  But it was not her choice alone.  The pack deferred to those they would.

Redd’s mind also turned to the rank of Berserker.  At one time she had promised to deliver this to Mulhedrin, but now she knew better.  Masquerade’s judgements were not her own, nor were they the Rise’s way.

The pack would decide together who would rise.  And she would need to initiate this.  There was too much uncertainty and too little unity for an obvious choice to be had.  Whoever led would need the opportunity to grow into the role.

Something in Redd settled with this decision made.  A part she hadn’t realized was off balance leveled, and she nipped appreciatively at the hunt lead, grateful for his steady presence.  Of them all, she trusted him.  In the past he had made decisions she would not have, but she knew they were of a like mind; the pack was what mattered.  His family now, more than hers, but no less dear.

She fell in alongside father and daughter, grateful to allow worries to fall away for a time.  When they returned she would begin to plan for what was to come.