Swiftcurrent Creek copper thunder

her voice was lost in the crush of things unsaid between them, and muskrat felt akavir's harshness resting in her own marrow.

one of theirs; he spoke of a young family and her mind darted to arlette and her brood, the pups she had intended to meet and then did not. regret, again, darting into reality, but she dashed it against the hardened heart she presented now to any sentiment.

i owe nothing.

the shadowknife spoke and made for the mountains. muskrat lingered to meet akavir's eye. there was no apology there for her departure, only a softening for the anguish he allowed to lead him around by the nose. "no cure. give poison fast. less pain."

at a lope she followed the swallowed silhouette, feeling very much as she had the first time she had left behind the swamp panthers.