❝bare your teeth, little one, for you are made of stardust and divinity.❞
It is said, in the era before the mother of our mothers, when the ancients first built their ruins, we were not alone in this world. Creatures flitted through the skies above...
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Tip tried not to yawn as he watched the herd's movements.
It was early enough that the sky was flushed pink as the sun slowly lifted its yawning head above the horizon and the last stars blinked out of existence. The day-flowers slowly stirred, their petals unfurling in the dawn light with the promise of the change in seasons. The ground remained wet though, the dewy tears of the previous night still clinging to whatever leaves it could find. It dampened both fur and spirits, turning the already somber mood that surrounded the migration sour.
During migrations, the herd always woke early and began to move as soon as there was enough light to see. It was safest this way. When they stopped at night, they did not have the time or energy to spend unloading the carts that carried the tents and bedding. They had to sleep exposed to the elements and vulnerable to attack on all sides. It was in the best interest of everyone for the herd to complete its migration as quickly as possible.
The Chief Elder was at the front of the herd, guiding them through the forest, following both the ancient paths of the Ancestors and the wisdom of the stars. During this migration, the Chief Elder led the herd down a route that, for the most part, Tip had charted. Of course, the Chief Elder had assisted Tip, offering bits of advice when he asked or when he accidentally had the herd stray a bit too far, but this migration was largely Tip's work.
By all rights, Tip ought to be in the front of the herd as well. He might even have been leading the migration. Instead, Tip walked at the very back.
Tip had stood by the Chief Elder's side before. He had watched how she headed the migration and was even able to attempt to mimic her a few times before. However, the entire time he was there, he had been antsy and anxious. Tip kept turning his head, checking to see if the herd was still behind him. Tip had no reason to be concerned. In fact, it was quite rare for them to lose someone on a migration. However, it still happened.
At the back of the herd, Tip was able to ensure that no one fell behind. He would know, instantly, if the wheel of a cart broke or if someone hurt their leg or if some other trouble occurred that slowed the migration. Technically, this was the duty of the Practitioners of Protection. Five of their strongest walked in front of Tip now—including both the Elder Practitioner of Protection and Ituha's teacher—but Tip still preferred to walk behind them.
It was not that he doubted their capabilities. He knew, if something happened, they would be far more useful than Tip. It just seemed safer for Tip to be in the back, watching over the herd, than in the front, oblivious to any trouble that might befall them.
What did not seem safe, was Jin's presence beside him.
When Tip voiced this concern, however, Jin laughed and said, "I'm here to keep you safe, Tip! You're so quiet, the Practitioners of Protection might not even notice if you fell behind. If I'm with you, they'll know right away."
Tip frowned slightly.
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