THE LION ISN'T SACRED WHEN NOT SLEEPING NEAR THE LAMB
Brecken hears the woman before he sees her: the even march of her footsteps far too loud to be a predator, though in truth she hardly makes a sound. He cocks an eye back over his shoulder, the amusement plain on his face. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" he wonders aloud, his tone just slightly playful. There is a note of truth hidden there: she looks far too alone, far too small in the shadow of the cave. Armed or not, who is she and what is she doing here? A citizen of one of the many settlements, on her own search for answers? Or merely a foolhardy adventurer on her way to certain death?
Brecken will pretend to himself he doesn't care either way. But the swagger in his gait as he eases forward, effortlessly keeping pace, conveys a pure interest. He scans the fletching above her shoulder, the clothing she wears, the strange little companion moving in her wake. To him, this aloof attempt to pass him by speaks of weakness — anxiety or some other distracting mental pitfall — and he might be worried if he allowed himself the luxury. He is, of course, merely curious. And absolutely heedless of the degree to which his companionship may be unwelcome.
"My name is Brecken," he says. "I'm looking into these caverns because something quite serious happened here. Might be dangerous." A sly smile twists the last word in his mouth, as if he has truly come only to test this possibility. His own well-stocked pack and the carefully maintained spear strapped to it both speak truth to his words.
Brecken will pretend to himself he doesn't care either way. But the swagger in his gait as he eases forward, effortlessly keeping pace, conveys a pure interest. He scans the fletching above her shoulder, the clothing she wears, the strange little companion moving in her wake. To him, this aloof attempt to pass him by speaks of weakness — anxiety or some other distracting mental pitfall — and he might be worried if he allowed himself the luxury. He is, of course, merely curious. And absolutely heedless of the degree to which his companionship may be unwelcome.
"My name is Brecken," he says. "I'm looking into these caverns because something quite serious happened here. Might be dangerous." A sly smile twists the last word in his mouth, as if he has truly come only to test this possibility. His own well-stocked pack and the carefully maintained spear strapped to it both speak truth to his words.
IT IS EVIL WHEN IT EATS UNLESS IT'S FEEDING FROM THE DAMNED.
