Were Manhattan ever in a position to consider her master's new mate objectively and without the skepticisim that floated in jealousy's wake, she would have agreed with Aylin.

Knox is indeed counting his chickens before they hatch, and one in particular. He is counting on the fact that having a child, one that he senses will be a filly, will bring to him a sort of calm collectedness that he has lacked in the wake of his mother's death. But this time, it will be one informed of emotion. He is banking on that.

Even as he watches Archibald break through the underbrush, his companion in tow, he counts on this gentility that will come in time. He cannot rely on the present or even the slightest bit on the past: all he can know is that soon, he will be a father. Soon, he will have to face maturity.

Knox has no time to answer Aylin, and though he regrets this he knows too that he will tell her of the land when they are a part of it, at night beside the crashing of one of these unfamiliar falls. It is odd for Knox to see the land so changed, but he cannot think of that now.

"Archibald," he answers stiffly. He steps sideways, closer to Aylin, seeking the reassurance of her touch. If the potential truth of parenthood can't calm his anger, she can. "This is Aylin. We'd like to join the Footh- Falls."

Knox can tell that his brother is still the king, here. He doesn't need any further proof than the way Archibald holds himself. And though it is true the Dauntless almost always carries such pride between his dark ears, Knox can tell the difference. He has lived under his brother's rule long enough. He is almost ashamed to submit himself to it again, even if it is for the greater good and safety of the future.

Loretta's hostility does not go unnoticed, but Knox nips the sure-to-come conflict in the bud.

No, is all he needs to command for Manhattan to look away from her sister in silence. He jaws fill with poison, perhaps, but the teeth are clamped too tightly together for any to drip from between them. She will behave, if only for her master's sake.

Besides, Manhattan is not in the mood for Loretta's old shows of dominance. She has travelled into dangerous lands with her master and seen far worse battles than the malamute, even if her sister doesn't know it.