"Tiger territories far to the south," Cutie contributed. "But they're too distant to be relevant right now."
"And the vulture lands?" Kaya asked Veer.
Veer's expression became complicated. "Scattered. We don't have a central territory like the eagles or snakes. Individual flocks claim smaller areas, sometimes ally with each other, sometimes compete." He paused. "My own flock... they cast me out when I was injured. I have no standing with them anymore."
"Would they help us if we asked?"
"No," Veer said flatly. "They'd either ignore us or turn us over to whoever offered the best price."
"Noted." Kaya marked this on her crude map. "So we can't count on vulture support. What about other outcasts? You said yourself that you're not the only one who's been cast out or exiled."
"There are others," Veer admitted. "Scattered throughout these mountains and the borderlands. No organization, no leadership, just individuals trying to survive."
