Herbalists' Cache in the running and slowing of time

"see." pregnant cows, fleeing runnels of snow. "not take them. bring new life to herds. herds give life to saatsine." a cycle must be fed. "see." ageing bulls lumbering away, though several turned as if to glare at the wolves. "old men. weaker. but not so weak. can kill hunters."

"see." young bulls who pawed the ground openly; one made a dash for sun eater, then pulled up several feet away. testing. testing. chieftain's cold snarl lit the air behind. "young men. fools. stupid. strong, can kill. but easier killed."

"see." how they raced together, how they stood in bands or apart. stragglers at the edge, and here he directed other shore's attention again. "bad hoof. sick stomach. blind eye." diagnosing them, cutting them out, setting them aside for future teeth.

he was silent, not looking to the young wolf but ahead at the caribou possessed by the sun clan.