excerpt from my novel mss., The B'ha'an: Daughter of the West. She'd been appalled to find [Newman] the only other survivor of the gorm attack.... Sha'a'an struggled to keep her face a mask. She dared not risk her shakey authority over the outlander. If he knew just how frightened and ignorant she was-- Despite herself, a tremor shook her body. She anxiously glanced at him to see if he'd noticed it.... What would he think, she wondered bitterly, if he learned his guide's expertise consisted of landmarks and maps memorized by rote over three years ago? Their shoosh'tah-dai [Raid of Silence] had been her first journey away from home. They had followed the northern trail to the Old Lands. She fervently wished they had returned the same way. Then, at least, she would have had the advantage of having passed through the territory. Sha'a'an was keenly aware of the many times Kharon needed to correct her bearings on the way out. If she'd been in charge, they would probably never have gotten to the Old Lands. If only he were with them now; but Kharon was dead. They were all dead.... Sha'a'an understood, all too clearly now, why she had been made a part of her Grandfather's shoosh'tah-dai. It was up to her to get them and the B'ha'an [Power Box] to the New Lands. Somehow, she would get them back. She had to. The responsibility terrified her; if she allowed herself to dwell upon it for very long. Sha'a'an glanced at the outlander with grudging approval. Yes, she could understand his reluctance [to be responsible for carrying the Master B'ha'an]. He'd confessed his doubts and fears; but he had not complained of either his fate or obvious discomfort. Last night had cost her--and she was used to such strenuous effort. She could imagine its effects on one used to riding. That impressed her favorably. She was beginning to realize much of her opinion of the outlander was unfairly based upon her own ignorance. She resolved to be more charitable toward him in the future. As much as circumstances would allow, anyway. Credits: Newman: created by me using Poser 6 and DAZ's Michael 3. Sha'a'an: Early version made in Poser 5 using DAZ's Victoria 3. Huntress is OWO Archer by Sergio Martinez & Emily Thrasher (xurge over at RDNA). Newman's clothes: Woodland Ranger by AofD retextured by me using leather textures by Nikita Creed. Several rocks were Net freebies. Animals: modeled by me using P4 horse head and raptor body. Moss-pines: created by me in Plant Studio. Rope-moss and moss mounds created by me using Bryce 4. Grasses and weeds: Transpond's (Chris Oldershaw and Judith Ward) Grasslands and Scrublands. All put together in Bryce 5.5.