Qeya River split sky

mind forever alight with caribou, they became larger than all other life. he had been born cen beside their milling masses, their lowing the backdrop for his own newborn cries. it had been their blood tasted first, their meat eaten first; even now his mouth watered for it.

sheep killer was reduced to a trembling father. sun eater watched him with something like pity. the children were gone from the sound of it, which was just as well for his purpose and their lives.

"i father too." the genuine pain in his own voice surprised him, but he let it be heard. "i want my son with me." breath drawn; eye flint against the sky before he captured that gaze once more; "you find him for me, sheep killer, i welcome your pups back here."

it was a measure of peace pierced with the threat sun eater knew he must maintain for a time, until their loyalty was true or until their charade could not be kept.

then he would have them. a lanzadoii man of the bitterbrush band, he shed blood for honor. he had done so. now they would give him their respect. pretense at that meant death, a rotted heart cut from an undeserving chest.

once ghelan (@Brave One) was with him, every hour of the day might be given over those who tried to deceive sun eater.