Whitefish River and the ships are left to rust

the deer are moving on, slowly but surely—the doe leads the way, picking her way carefully through the glade and in betwixt the trees, the male following only after she's been swallowed up by the trees. she listens carefully as the woman speaks, though her gaze is on the deer, watching their movements until they vanish through the trees. 

when the rump of the male is obscured by a pine, she turns to the woman. "I could mentor you. birds, rodents - I have experience in most." her brow raises a fraction, the only indication of her mirth, and she adds, "I have been called many things, but never a bastard." her flowing speech is different than what she's used to, in truth, most of the woman seems to be the opposite of herself. but she's slightly fond of the woman, and makes the offer with ease.