Much time has passed since their initial conversation. In the interim Zjeena has been nothing short of cooperative and Rougaru has remained annoyingly tolerable. Zjeena finds herself enjoying his company, and while Paradise is not her idea of paradise, the climate is much improved over the desert, and she was glad to stay for the summer. Ample nutrition kept her milk flowing enough to feed both of her babies well.
Nattergal and Havelle are growing like weeds. Soon they'll be taller than their mother. Zjeena, needless to say, looks healthy. Her coat is rich with dapples, and it gleams in the light that filters through the tree tops. Her flanks are filled out and her barrel is round with good eating. Exploring the new territory and participating in several practice battles has toned her. Her belly no longer hangs heavy with evidence of carrying twins. Muscles across her neck, shoulders, and haunch ripple under her skin, defined enough to be seen through a healthy layer of fat.
Zjeena feels great, and is ready to make a move.
She assumed Liland would have challenged for her back by now, but he has not. Zjeena heard word that he won back the Bay. She is impressed by his determination, and is proud of him for honing his skills in battle enough to start winning, but why has he not come for her? It's time to find out, and exactly how she gains the ability to march over to the Bay and find out, is up to Rougaru. Zjeena comes to the negotiating table with value to offer, but she hopes not to give it all away. And because she's grown to actually like Rougaru, she hopes this encounter doesn't end in a fight.
Zjeena winds her way through the lush territory, looking for a familiar figure. She's left her children alone again, something she's doing more and more often. She no longer fears Rougaru might kill them. "Rougaru?" She calls through the jungle. Her voice wavers just a little, and the smell of her heat lingers all around her.
Rougaru will have some tough choices to make this day.