Sleeping Dragon Blood in the cut

Wildfire took Portia's smile and nod as acceptance of the challenge presented. Wildfire returned her grin, her own a little fiendish as she fantasized about killing one of the wily, ring-tailed thieves. But first they would have to track it. Licking her chops, the Bandrona lowered her smudged muzzle to the ground, where the scent was most concentrated. She drew in several deep, noisy breaths, drinking in the raccoon's scent and discerning where it led.

She glanced at her cohort quickly, just to say, This way, then began to trot where the trail led her: toward the heart of the territory.