Morningside Cuesta morning glory

"uh — n-no," lestan said with a great deal of apology to her voice; "i'm —" attached? involved? terrified? "— a bit tired." frederick would understand, yes, having found lestan out here?
still — he hated to lie, telegraphed by the rapid blinking and general flush beneath the short fur of his face. such a stupid thing! to be so moved by the natural order of things.
deer died. wolves ate. this was how it was and evermore would be! the mayfair should make his peace then, but he found it so difficult.
and he certainly did not want to let frederick or his stomach down. "tell you wh-what — if others are b-busy, i'll c-come back out w-with you. i c-could use the run," he admitted, though his innards continued to quail at the very idea of hurting any in that particular herd — such irony.