Shy Deer Steppes Down east

Since Wildfire's dangerous encounter near Haunted Wood, Peregrine had redoubled his patrols on the northeastern edges of the caldera's territory. Twice now Sebastian's piece of shit father had shown up in their neck of the woods, threatening his family, and if Peregrine saw him again, he would be sure to add head and all four legs to his list of amputated appendages.

He had never explored much in this direction, yet as he wrapped up his patrol, the scent of game drew Peregrine outward, directly east. He found himself on a flat plain made arid by the July sun. His nose twitched as he scanned the horizon. A mesa hovered to the north and he knew Blackfeather Woods lay beyond it. Slightly south of his current position, he saw a distant tiered waterfall. Unlike the Outriders in his life, these exotic landmarks did not really draw his attention.

No, what appealed to him was the herd of deer milling perhaps half a mile further east. He crept in that direction, feeling a lot like a lion on the African Savannah prowling after gazelles. The hot sun beat down on his dark back, yet he paid no heed to this mild discomfort. The pack had been reeling somewhat in the wake of Dove's death and everyone knew there was nothing better than some hearty comfort food.