Redtail Rise red

the blow does daze her for a moment or two, everything going dark. she rouses to find Mulherin at her side, desperately trying to wake her; she sees Masque's face, red as the blood that pools around her, hovering close with concern;

her indigo eyes roll wildly in their sockets, looking for others. Ashlar. her mouth forms the syllables of his name, but she cannot speak. she cannot breathe.

when Moonwoman had taken her tongue, she thought she might drown in her own blood. only the snow had saved her then.

it will not save her now.

her muscles trembling and twitching, Avicus shifts her gaze between her two children assembled, taking in their countenances. and wonders,

is the elk dead? for she cannot die without the knowledge.