Redtail Rise morendo

There was something new in her face, but she didn't speak before she turned to go. He wanted to follow but knew that he shouldn't... and instead he stood, feeling more and more upset as he realized what this meant.

He couldn't describe to her what it had been like, seeing the others and knowing he could not face them. Tulimaq's stern warning, the way he'd stood over her.... it was clear, and she had made no complaint. She hadn't asked. Chacal had come to him and shown him the ways in which desire could be shown, but Avicus... she'd wanted their strength. He'd seen that.

She wanted someone who could fight for her. And again, he wondered if she looked at him and only saw a coward.

Ashlar's chest caught with a sob and he buried his face in his forelegs, trying to quiet them as they began. It didn't matter how hard he tried. He would never be able to do enough. He would never be enough. Not for the things that mattered, nor the things that he wanted.