Te Paas had volunteered to accompany Aa as she searched his hunting territory for signs of the raiders. As they landed on the roost they’d found, Te said, “It is not my roost, Peacekeeper, nor Cu’s, although I may shift here, at least for the summer. The hills will shade it nicely during the heat of the afternoon. Cu and I roost on the other side of the meadow near one of the Rataan Burrows, at the moment.” He was the elder of this temple’s two Hooark Servants.

Volunteered is a nice way of phrasing it, Aa thought. I think he fears I will snatch a little something for myself. A moment later, Aa was berating herself for such an unkind thought. Oh, give him wing-room. It’s probably the first time he’s had his own hunting territory. You were a touch posse...

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