Cantankerous as ever the hawk screeched at her, but Nira just rolled her eyes again at the cheeky bird, carving a slender chunk of raw venison from the slab and feeding it to him while he was perched on her shoulder.  Her mind seemed to trail as she sat alone, gazing softly into the demure glow of the fire bathing her in comfort.  She thought back to those days, raiding villages with the Black-Horns, ruling over the most feared bandit tribe in the Empire....and of course...him, the orc war chief...her king...her beloved...

She sighed, wrapping her cloak around her once more and leaning back in her chair, a distant frown finding its way to her face.  Yet halfheartedly she smiled again and shook her head at Nadia's offer, as sweet as it was.