Ocean's Breath Plateau silver sparrow

the den was ripe; she had been ill, over and over, and withered.
he had done this to her. he had taken cen from her, and now red leaf had nothing. no! this was not true. frantically his mind sought about for what to do; he found himself entering the den with his broad shoulders and scarred head.
"come with me now, red leaf, to the lodges. this time do not fight. i will carry your son. you cannot die here alone waiting for cen."
his voice was harsher than he meant, more rough for things that had nothing to do with her. 
the woman moved; chakliux gazed thoughtfully at her.
did he carry sickness to his own clan?
but he had put them here. he had spoken, and his word had sent moonglow to moontide, and cen — away.
he heard the wheeze in her throat. "red leaf. are you ill? did you become sick in the spring rain?" he must know before he led them along, but lead them the seal hunter would, today. today.