Dawnlark Plains toe the line

"good," aditya answered, saying a silent prayer to god for their good fortune--and wondering whether she could read his mind. he gave her a look, half-scrutiny, half- pleasure. "sunny and shale fight well; they'd be happy to show you some pointers," he said. "and we're a hunting pack, so everyone is adequate--but dawn, sunny, and shale usually lead the hunts. that is who i would look up to."

he walked on, falling into silent step for a few long moments, eyes wandering along the border and beyond. finally, he glanced back at loir, gaze soft. "what's your story, loir? why did you decide to come and stay with us?"

she might not have a story. he didn't blame her if that was the case. what had been his story, after all? falling off a cliff and washing up onto an unfamiliar shore, then following a pair of pretty girls back to their territory. he had done nothing of substance in his entire life until he came here, and even now, aditya had a small resume.

so many seemed to demand extraordinary things from others, and yet, how many of those inquisitors could prove their own merits? it was fine if loir didn't have a story, if she did not carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. to be here, to be contributing. . .that was enough.