Herbalists' Cache sleeping mist

insolence.

a long smile split the chieftain's face, but it was not one of warmth; it held the satisfaction of one who has always known rot. black hawk was ignored, a woman forgiven for ignorance in the face of her family's death. it was blackfell to whom he turned now. his stare burned, focus moving next.

"but he did not," he said to black hawk in a measured tone of utter calm. "war chief ice diver and bloodhunter ridgeback first fought me. i showed strength, killed their leader, and they submitted. they became saatsine. this man had only hunger, and you did not wait. you killed. mine is the thinking of a leader. but how could you know? you had no one to teach you."

his teeth glinted toward the blackbird. "you not your own man. not since you captive to star eater council. you prove self to me, then break it," crowding close, tail a jet flag. "you fight me here? for what? for land i not keep? for what?"