Herbalists' Cache hoof trap

"gjalla killed for me. i know her mind." perhaps it was a man's task, and it mollified him to hear that she wanted only women with her. not blackfell. "i need a new war chief. there are three i am looking at. she is one."

the others must prove. and be proven again. times had changed since the first time he had come to the river; saatsine and sun eater demanded more of those who would be bloodhunter. "she is a bloodhunter and has status. i want to see her in fighting."

he did not need to give her a reason. she was his wife. but he did all the same, and found some measure of comfort in it.

he stooped then to kiss her belly, to straighten with a smile of desire and anticipation down into her starwoven face. "and the loyalty of their mother. do not forget that a clan is built upon it."