Blacktail Deer Plateau no nuns. no nuns, none!

Vesper ignored him, and if the coyote had not been here, Phox would have brushed it off and given her the space. But this was not a matter of playing nice or letting her get her way. It was a matter of safety, and Phox would have none of it. The "pretty little face" comment only solidified Phox's leeriness of the interloper.

The Redhawk watched as the coyote retreated, keeping his gaze on them until Phox was certain he was out of earshot.

Your mother and father expect me to keep you safe, Vesper. I intend to do just that. I don't know that coyote or what their intentions are, but I do know that well-meaning folks don't usually waltz up to strange children and strike up conversations with them. Especially on claimed territory.

True, the plateau was not entirely theirs, but they had been here for some time, and Phox was not about to ignore that. Surely Vesper knew better than this. Then again, he was aware enough to know she was merely trying to needle him.