Ouroboros Spine tipsigigaa ⫃

Kukutux concluded that Valiant would be first hunter, and Ciri shot the pale-furred wolf a winning smile. They knew nothing of one another, but his immediate confidence in light of a role needing to be filled had spurred her own offering. The title of Sivullik sounded impressive, and to captain Moonglow's hunts would be a great honour - something that both invigorated and terrified her all the same.

She could support him as second, she felt. Most of her pursuits were of small game, but Ciri was a swift and capable huntress. It was important to kill quickly and cleanly, to avoid catastrophe, and she wanted to be useful. She wanted to have something to focus on.

She wanted to belong. And when another lifted his voice to counter her suggestion by offering himself for the position on second, Ciri's smile wavered. She did not dare glance away from Peregrine to look upon the others, anxious suddenly to feel their eyes upon her. He looked back at her with a glint of something in his stare - was that pity? She blinked, swallowed the lump that swelled in her throat, and collected herself with a deep inhale to place a warm mask over any hint of disappointment that flickered across her dark features.

Okay, the swallow said simply and with a smile, not allowing any length of time for discussion to come of it; she would not argue over rank. It was Peregrine's, and at last Ciri sought Kukutux' gaze in search of dismissal.