The story had been so long and Raschen's voice so melodious that Taryn had nearly fallen asleep with the cubs. She was content to rest her head on his solid shoulder while the fire burned to glowing red embers. Ituha had crept off to bed with the last of the tale, as had Jax and Lily with their brood. Only the Kuguar family sprawled in the night by the fire. Despite being surrounded by blackness and forest, Taryn had not felt so safe since the idyllic days of traveling back to the Warren.<br/><br/>Snuggling close to her mate, Taryn gazed dreamily at her children. She murmured softly to Raschen,<br/><br/>"What do you think they will be when they grow up? What do you think the world will be like when Lark takes a mate? What power do you think Tristan will possess as a warrior?"<br/><br/>Taryn shifted away from a small stone and then settled back against Raschen. Although his arms were full of softly snoring kittens, his tail wrapped around her like a third arm. She smiled and tugged it firmly around her, caressing the end of it, marveling at how soft the fur was.<br/><br/>"Do you think there will ever come a time when warriors will be out of fashion and all people can live in peace? I don't want my children to have to grow up in a world where they have to sport scars as you and I do. I want them strong and wise but how I wish they could use their strength and wisdom to build a world where people were able to love as they wish."<br/><br/>Taryn sighed and listened to an echoing sigh in the wind. She knew the heavy dew would soon fall but for now, the tangy scent of the wood smoke and the dusty smell of cat filled her nostrils. All was well with their world.