Redtail Rise We are close to war.

Riley didn’t seem to hold their lack of focus against them. Masque flashed him a vaguely sheepish smile of appreciation, though their expression quickly grew thoughtful at his question.

I suppose Augur and New Snow must’ve had my mother’s blessing in the past. I don’t know how it will work in the spring, especially since she’s no longer Wealda…

Saying it out loud gave Masquerade a queer feeling. It was like admitting there was unrest to an outsider, though of course Riley wasn’t one. He wasn’t quite the confidante Mulherin had become to them, though the fact that they could speak to one another this way went a long way toward building a strong sense of camaraderie.

Their bloodline—Augur’s and New Snow’s, I mean—is separate from the Redtails. Ancelin is my cousin but Lilia isn’t related to any of us by blood.

The rise had supported two litters in the past two years, so Masquerade supposed they could do it again next year. In that sense, perhaps it was well and good there were no other breeding pairs. The two established couples could have their litters and all would be well.

Masquerade huffed out a breath and revisited their earlier statement to clarify, Augur is Ulfhedinn, leader of the hunt, and Lilia is the leader of the warriors, Berserkr. Currently, there is no Wealda: leader of all.