Sea Lion Shores kings of nothing

The road to Rodyn took them north, then west, across the flattest possible landscapes  to preserve their strength and reduce the chance of injury. Several days later, they had crossed Totoka River and began to walk south.

Miska had been unusually stoic. He offered @Elowyn his warm back at night without any flirtatious comment and walked in silence for many hours of the day, eyes moving over the curves of the landscape. They hunted small game, paused to drink and rest, but made non detours and maintained a good pace.

It wasn't until the sea lions were in their back mirror that Miska turned to Elowyn and said, "Angel is telling you story of love with Sega? Rodyn close. I wanting to feel.. magic of this great love before greet father of little bride." He grinned his well-worn grin.

Elowyn for sure didn't think the worst of Miska, but she also didn't exactly think the best. She was thankful for the company he provided for the trip. Even if the days were spent quietly walking side by side.

As they got close, Miska finally spoke to her.

"Sega is a very kind wolf. Angel was hurt and he helped her. He gave her a gift for her mother before she went to visit."

Elowyn, who knew nothing of crushes or love, was doing a poor job of explaining Angel's feelings for Sega.

Sega is a very kind wolf, Elowyn said. Miska turned away to roll his eyes at the distant woods. Sega was strategic. A man's man with a plan, filling his tribe with fertile young women and malleable yearlings.

Miska had a feeling that Angel was simply the lead that had panned out.

"So - Angel marry nurse," Miska summarized. The Florence Nightingale effect. "Is fast. This OK. Sega must quickly making childrens for Great Sky, young wife is good choice," he went on, reducing the partnership to reproduction. "Two young wife better," he posited with a shrug, then turned his yellow stare from the road to Elowyn. "Maybe he invite you. When is time." For the act, though not said, was heavily implied. "This culture of many mans."

Something about the tone of his voice warned that repeating so much as a word of their conversation would put Elowyn in an uncomfortable position indeed.

Elowyn felt uneasy about how Miska was talking about Sega, but she managed to not react. Her gaze met his and she shook her head. "I doubt that," she said. But, the words had gotten to her a bit. She hardly knew Sega, all she really knew was that Angel wanted to marry him. 

"You can think what you want, but if you say anything of the sort of Angel's family and risk her chance to marry Sega, you will have to deal with me, and I won't be so nice."

Her heart raced as she spoke. She was certain Miska could hear it. And she doubted that he'd believe her words. In fact, she wondered how true they even were. Could she hold up her words or would she shy away from the confrontation when and if the time came?

It was brave and true, the way Elowyn stood up for her friend. Miska allowed himself an inward smile. He hoped the pair of them stuck together beyond Great Sky – wished to one day come across a man-hating band of maidens that traced their origins back to the fruit of Angel's loins.

In the present, he rounded on his comrade, blocking her path. "Open eyes," he commanded. "Miska can be nice, yes? I sing with you. Protect. But Elowyn knowing Miska is beast. Feel in hairs on back, old feeling, true feeling." Teeth flashed into view – a hideous slash of a smile. "You knowing this because I never put mask."

His shoulders relaxed. A black tail swiped at the earth, back and forth, churning his thoughts.

"Listen instinct," he told her, offering a casual shrug. "This all I say. To Ro-dyn I saying only truths." Pinkie-swear.

When Miska blocked her path, Elowyn took a small step backward, unintentionally showing the fear she had. 

"I know you would protect me, Miska" she said. "That is not something I worry about. You seem, well...not always terrible." She tried to steady her nerves. It wasn't working, but she continued. "I know you speak the truth, but don't ruin my friend's happiness. That's all that I ask."

Miska breathed a frustrated sigh. Had he been so naïve as a boy? No, his world would not have allowed it.

"Ja nic, I say nothing! Protect your friend," he snarled, following in the step Elowyn had taken to get away from him. The soft yellow of her eyes held the acid of his. "You understand meaning? Se-ga," he clarified, "Not soft baby-man. Yes? You keep open eye. Debilu," the last word muttered.

When Miska snarled at Elowyn and stepped toward her, she stepped back again. "I'm not sure what you want me to believe? That Sega isn't good? That he won't be good to Angel?" she asked. "Let's just finish our trip, Miska," she said, moving to walk past him. "We were given a task and this isn't it."

Miska responded with an exasperated hybrid.of a sigh and a snort. It was difficult to stir the pot when the contents were so vapid.

He overtook Elowyn and settled into a lumbering walk. And, because he was petty and mean, he sent a silent wish down the tubes to the machinist of fate that the young creature at his back would live to see love rot. 

Miska would drink her tears and say I told you.

Fade?