Redsand Canyon vultus

all lines of the roman turned to steel as fennec ordered him.

and perhaps it was just as well, for the last racing tension in his body broke when blood flowed to his ankle.

fennec said she would do this. germanicus stared into the hardness of her resolute features. he deserved nothing, least of all the skill that might save him from the infection of the cat's claws.

the millstone of his knowing and fennec's unknowing hung around his neck, the tightness of it forcing a harder breath.

but at last he relented, seeing the next seconds in her muscles. he sat down heavily and into a stoic, closed silence. his yellowpaint eyes were haunted. "wait. please, fennec. i — there is something else." he submitted to her will and yet her will could not be whole without the knowing. why would she? why should she?

the idea that she would come forward now with her herbs tightened his belly with shame.