Swiftcurrent Creek waiting star

consternation became irritation became a challenge, for sun eater had not cultivated himself in such ways. when the men rose he met them with a hard snort of air misting around his teeth, the remaining eye unbowed in its frayed socket.

whatever their number, they had children among them. young ones. liabilities beneath such a posturing, and he told to this man with his stare that he saw it.

beside him, ice diver cautioned, and though sun eater wanted to make vocal his threat, he saw its wisdom. if this creek harried his warriors, he would crush them. in irony, it was not morwenna's voice which stilled him; it was ice diver's negotiation.

the broad shoulders relaxed. "pack have leaving gifts from my woman," he said in a lighter voice devoid of humour. "now we go."

he had only glimpsed the snowfurred wolf with the many scars, but it did not matter now. 

"you are right, tendezlakkak." for the lanzadoii alone. sun eater stepped back several paces and turned his contingent north; he did not glance toward the offerings of departure, only nipped softly at morwenna's flank, sending her ahead of himself and the war chief.

his tall frame turned after, triumphant gaze upon the creek wolves; if they struck he would rise but if they did not move, he would only move to join the others.