Qeya River fables

Star Eater did not seem to be irritated by Other Shore's questions - rather, she responded to each of them with a delicate patience that she herself found herself jealous of. A trait a mother must have, she thought, if one were to raise pups who thrived in these places. 

Was her mother like Star Eater? Again, she was met with a hollow, empty sorrow as she realized she could not remember. Too many memories, lost as she came and went with the wind.

Other Shore found herself intrigued by Star Eater's words. A cage, she wondered out loud. What home is a cage? What cage is beautiful? But then again, her own home had been beautiful too, had it not? Until it starved her. Her father had never held her captive, and her mother had long since stopped carrying her with gentle care. 

Was that bitterness she heard in Star Eater's words? If it was, she was not surprised. But Star Eater's face flickered back into a smile, and Other Shore ceased to pry at the sour tone behind her words. 

Star Eater left her home because staying would kill her. Other Shore left her home because staying would kill her. But it was starvation that would kill Other Shore - so what was it that threatened a strong woman like Star Eater so much that it forced her to run?

Never mind that. Star Eater had chosen the way of the Saatsine, and Other Shore was beginning to embrace them as well. Best not to dig where she should not.

I have never been on a march, she finally muttered in response, after too much deliberation. But your words, I trust. There is no home that does not kill, only a home that kills slowly.