Swiftcurrent Creek copper thunder

a deep pleasure unfurled inside muskrat to hear him name her warrior. she almost made her choice then, save for the fact that her ears caught the tread of her beleaguered leader.

akavir appeared there and she saw the night man's expression beneath his lacerations. blood glistened upon his jetstone coat.

the citrus eyes flickered between the pair; muskrat saw what had been and what would be, but also what she did not know and what she could not predict.

their gazes burned upon and around her. wickedness, to set them against one another. reckless to answer.

"warrior. have many brides if you want. but one equal in war." and as she spoke these words, muskrat thrilled, imagining for a moment that she was clan matron, that she sought to make a match for her own people in this.

would akavir move to keep her? muskrat enjoyed that idea also, falling into an expectant silence.