Porcupine Ridge When the chips are down

As he unleashed his secrets, he felt powerful, as if a cluster of matches had all been lit as one. He devoured the opportunity to weave with his words what might become an ornate tapestry, a warm blanket, a cloak of chainmail. Something had boiled within him; now the cauldron bubbled over. 

Viskani t’ink less of you because you be ‘alfblood.’ She believe only in de purity of ‘er bloodline so any respect she shows you? It be fake. He said. Muskrat might not be offended, but at least now she would be made aware that Viskani would never see her as an equal. 

She can not keep a deal, so do not make one wid ‘er unless you collect up front. A word from one who had been slighted. 

’er sons bicker amongst demselves. Dey be fickle, impulsive, an’ stupid. De rest of de pack… He shrugged. Mindless followers. One guardian- a woman- ‘o I believe will be useful, but de rest…Unremarkable. Insider knowledge that she could use however she chose. 

An’ dat fox? She will raise dat fox like a child just because you tell ‘er to make it be a slave. She t’ink you be primitive for suggesting such a t’ing. She feed it, baby it… He licked his lips. De way I see it, she ‘ave two big weaknesses. One be de fox, an de ot’er be dat she underestimated me, an’ she underestimated you, too. He said with an indignant sniff. 

Casually, now that the steam had a place to vent, he sighed. I be leavin’. Dere be not’ing I want to do wid a woman like dat.