Swiftcurrent Creek rasputin

"for insult! muskrat take, hm? eat. never give back. now you have muskrat, hm? awqalli of swamp panther tribe." she jerked her chin scornfully toward the world into which he wanted to send her. "now you give me rude word. send away. not kind," she told him, and then her face smoothed into resignation.

muskrat sat down then.

"kill me or keep as slave." a hard slim shoulder lifted in a shrug. "i lose. earn back in blood or work." there was none in being cast out. survival could be had at the price of honor. muskrat would not pay it. a warrior captured belonged to the one who had triumphed. you did not wound and send away. kill or keep. this was known in all places! what sort of land did she find herself in?