Redtail Rise Everything is fair in love

When Masquerade had returned, Carrion had shunned her.

She'd refused to so much as lay eyes on the familiar red mask after discovering that her leaving had been intentional. That deserter.

She had felt helpless in the frightening illness of Swooping Cloud and angry at herself for not obeying Wealda sooner. Maybe she could have been more knowledgeable, more useful, if she had not refused to leave the rise to acquaint herself with the river wolves. But positioning herself as a student to complete strangers felt daunting in way she could not explain or even entirely comprehend.

The thought of her sistermother living nearby was something to focus her frustrations on. The ire grew when she heard that Masquerade had given birth -- replaced her entirely! And without making amends first. As if her life wasn't supposed to be on indefinite hold until Carrion had seen fit to forgive her -- those were the rules!

Often, she would express her tumultuous emotions to the ever patient Rotgut. He had no advice for her, at least none she could understand, but it was a way for her to vent. Or rant.

She was ranting to him now. And it's persistant, Rot, it's all I can taste now. It dwells — always! — and there's no relief. No relief at all... I know, I know, I've tried. But these thoughts chase me like flies! All they do is buzz! Don't you understand? They give me no rest, and I don't know if I can— Her tirade was reaching its crescendo at the exact moment she received news of Masquerade's death.

Soul-wrenched, Carrion's blood ran cold. Her eyes widened to moons, her body going rigid before becoming entirely numb. Her companion's chittering faded. The wind died to nothing. She could not feel nor hear a thing. Her vision rippled.

The bitter taste is gone, she observed in stunned detachment.

Then the tears spilled over.

TBC -- just chronicling some events for myself.