Noctisardor Bypass we built these dreams on sand

the man is lost in his own thoughts as ava inspects each child. she’d observed the way he carefully pulled from each of them a scent; understanding its significance, the girl imitated the guardsman. 

her lot was not to be den wife- it was to be stalwart. as the smelly, mewling things squirmed over their mother, ava rose and stalked over towards glaukos. her head rung painfully as she stood to all fours again, but settled down shortly after. 

she set down like a sphinxlike pose several feet from his elbows, her eyes trained towards the entrance same as he. 

two protectors were better than none at all. she would remain that way for the rest of the night, relieving herself of her duty only once another sentry came to take her place.