Lion Head Mesa tenax

crowfeather's voice was small and then it was begging.

germanicus was aghast at himself.

"no!" he said firmly. at last and compelled, he lowered his muzzle. the edge of his mouth touched the back of one dark ear. "i mean to say that bringing you back here so wounded forced a realization."

the harried tears of the shadow inspired a fierce and visceral protectiveness in germanicus.

"when you weep, i feel the same answering in myself. i have no answer for you. i cannot say it aloud."

germanicus had gravely misstepped. 

now he stood upon darkened ice in an unknown sea.

"tonight lady ruenna offered me the union of herself in marriage, and children thereafter. i have not given her an answer."

to strike so harshly. it was the heavy hand of a soldier guiding the man now, for it was all that he knew.