Moonspear ^___________________^

There was a rebuttal in his first two words, which made her beating heart sink toward her belly. Alaric probably felt it when Tiuttuk’s entire body tensed, though it slowly began to relax as more words followed. She didn’t quite understand why it should matter, if he was going to appoint her as a leader—he was going to appoint her as a leader!—but she understood the point the High Sage was trying to make.

It was still moot, of course. She would never leave Moonspear. But she saw no reason to refute Alaric right now, about that or her right to accept Glaukos. Treepie didn’t feel the need to apologize about that, though she hadn’t intended to step on any toes. She nuzzled Alaric’s chin to let him know she heard him. Perhaps someday, she might lose her rank and remember this reminder to respect the hierarchy, lest she undermine it.

But for now, her star was rising. Her eyes glimmered as she let the rest of his words wash over her. Alaric had no qualms making her his second. She wondered if anyone else in Moonspear would object, not that there were many left to do so. Treepie repeated the word “birthright” in her head and felt pride rippling through her. She would do her anaa proud.

Yes, was all she said, accepting her new title with a slow wiggle that began at her nose and spread to the tips of her toes and tail.