Emberwood Stargazer

Stars stood high and shining above, Kekoa gazing with a newfound wonder. He had found his mind growing far more curious as of late, though far less critical as well.

He wondered how it was that they managed to remain in the sky, if they ever fell. What would a fallen star become? Were they living creatures? Would they become such a thing? For a moment his mind went back to his vision. The way that wolf was glowing, he wondered if they may have been a fallen star.

Kekoa had kept an eye out for the stranger as he travelled alongside the other's. Saatsine was his new family, he would not allow harm to befall them if he could help it, but the swirling scenes that often followed him had made it quite the challenge.

He was unsure when they began, if they would go away. He did not question it.

their ghost talker was young, but sun eater approached river walker with the same reverence he would have offered an older spirit-man.

he brought a scraping of caribou fat and a rich white hide, both taken from a powerful bull. the hunt had demanded many teeth.

now he set these things before the ghost talker and blinked. "river walker. i ask you things today?"

Sun Eater approached, and his wonderings were quick to cease. A head was turned, eyes analyzing the items brought along.

Always. He responded. Kekoa would never turn him away, his heart simply could not. What do you wish to discuss?

He had found his speech had grown far more formal in recent weeks; as formal as his vocabulary would allow. Maybe it was a sign of maturity, or maybe it was another facade used to cover up the child that lay underneath.

"ghost talker. i ask you seek vision. ask spirits if time to choose bloodhunters in saatsine."

there was no reason for war now or in the foreseeable future, but this might swiftly change. single eye waited with patience.

The words concerned him, shown by the furrow of his brow. Do you see a need for it? He would seek the vision as asked, but he did not hope for war.

He could see Kaisaan stood next to Sun Eater now, and he awaited his brother's thoughts on the topic.

"yes. always. you are ghost talker. too, must be bloodhunter." balance was the word, but it was felt rather than sought.

"also, i ask for spirit blessing to seek new wife."

He eyes the space next to Sun Eater momentarily before he speaks.

They agree. If my vision come to fruition soon, we will need bloodhunters. For a moment he fell silent, considering his next request.

A wife. Kekoa had never thought about such things, but he understood the need for it. You can take a wife, so long as you intend to grow the pack. That felt like the logical answer. Kaisaan agreed.

"then i take wife."

for this reason. looking to the ghost talker with respect. "what you need? river walker had established himself among them; sun eater would see that his contributions were rewarded.

"i make ice diver and husband ridgeback bloodhunters," he decided, nodding once toward the holy wolf.

He remained silent as he was asked. What did he want?

A flick of his tail, and he decided. The thought now in his jumbled, one-track mind it was easy.

I come of age in the summer months. He began, eyes moving from where he believed Kaisaan stood to Sun Eater. I want you to give me a wife of my own. Not find, but give.

It was lonely, only speaking with spirits.

a wife? sun eater's surprise showed itself, for he had not expected a ghost talker to want a woman.

but then again, river walker was no wasted man of many years; he was young and perhaps his desires were more lively.

"any wife?" did he have an image in mind? "i give."

The surprise visible on Sun Eater's face caused him to cock an eyebrow. Did he not agree with his request? Did he not deserve it?

Any wife. I trust your taste. Distant, dilating eyes squinted into a smile. To grow Saatsine. And to keep himself busy, if nothing else.

He trusted Sun Eater to give him what he wanted, to see the benefits where Kekoa could not.

"i will do this." before the ghost talker only did sun eater dip his darkened crown, a respect for the spiritual force among his people.

he dismissed himself, wondering belatedly if the sons of a ghost talker would be stronger than the children of any other lanzadoii. 

the thought chilled him.