Qeya River time for dying

please don’t skip RB in the posting order <3

Sun Eater’s might pressed the man into submission, though he seemed to resist until the very last moment. Ridgeback’s circle tightened as the man pleaded with Star Eater in another language- and he searched her face for any sign that she understood. 

They knew each other, perhaps. Ridgeback inhaled, but could not smell the scent of the Swiftcurrent wolves. If he had not come from them, then perhaps he had come from another time point in her life.

Now he had reason to believe she had seen bloodshed before, and why she felt more might come- perhaps this man was just the beginning of it. Regardless, Star Eater seemed keen to be rid of him, and Sun Eater as well. 

His ears perked as Star Eater spoke words that he understood- she gave Sun Eater a choice- it seemed she cared nothing for the man who grovelled. Ridgeback licked his lips, expecting to witness slaughter- surely Sun Eater wouldn’t allow the man to freely go-

But he did. 

When he was commanded to leave, Ridgeback gave the man enough time to begin his track, eyeing the retreating man like a hound waiting to be released. He waited for the right moment- for the stranger to take a few ambling paces back and collect himself, before he lunged, and harried the man away with raucous growls and snapping jaws. He pursued only for a moment- a spur pressed into the side of a sluggish steed, to hasten the man’s retreat before he circled back to the Chieftan and his wife, hackles still bristled. 

He returned to them with bouncy steps, and a waving tail, to applaud the two for forcing the man into submission, only to sink into concern as Star Eater turned and wretched. Gjalla arrived- a recent addition to the pack as far as he knew- and questioned the pardon. Ridgeback’s teeth gritted together, expecting that her rebuttal might meet some resistance. 

He too wondered why Sun Eater hadn’t simply killed the man, especially if there was a chance he would come back and bring more with him. 

But Star Eater mentioned children.

Ridgeback’s tail swayed gently, and his features brightened. He looked from the Chieftan to his wife- decided not to ask, but it was clear enough in the soft wave of his tail that he was pleased with the news. Fatherhood, perhaps, had stayed Sun Eater’s hand, and granted him mercy. 

Gjalla would go, hound the man, and perhaps see to his death, if it was what she wanted. Star Eater was summoned to go inland- which left Ridgeback wondering silently for a moment what was to be asked of him. 

I’ll keep an eye on the borders, He said with a soft shrug of his shoulders.