Swiftcurrent Creek copper thunder

akavir. she detested him because he was not cloud singer and had still caught her eye. she loathed herself for succumbing; to give the body was one thing, to share a sense of pain was another.

but muskrat had neither the ability to put this to a thought nor the desire to introspect. such revelations would be kept for another time.

she had thought this once-jakub would come with her, but he was consumed by what his father said, and muskrat almost reconsidered her decision, simply to see how the bond of blood still — affected.

never. never for her again.

she did not turn but she spoke:

"we call this sick phusuqu. white spit. cannot drink water. die not in head." instinct warred; they should stay here if an illness such as this roamed the land. but they could not, any longer.

ears swung forward. muskrat waited.