Shadowwyn Moor Don't you know it is just the chemicals in our veins that causes pain?

ah — ah. there it was, the glinting truth which now stood in the girl's hateful eyes. the woman buried at the river had been someone to her, and for a moment sun eater considered prising this blood-claim from the girl.

just as fast, the impulse passed. here was the third captive he had taken in his life. what had gone on before did not matter, and his great shadow loomed over her in a chilled silence which he allowed to stretch and stretch.

"no," he agreed at last in a quiet voice, though the single eye flashed with an answering contempt, a deep bemusement at her defiance even in the face of pain. a warrior. perhaps the qeya wolves might have earned a better outcome had she been among them.

"not me." he stood now to his feet, chin lifting, paw raised to prod her up as well. "now you belong to river walker."

sun eater had not hurt the girl, not truly. but he was not above teaching her the lesson that ash had learned, anguish first before attempt was made. maybe in his age he had become softer, and she its first recipient. intriguing. "move."