Sun Mote Copse Promises Kept

In her shyness, Ragna had avoided direct contact with Giana, preferring to do her business alone. She did not want to interfere with Giana's task by aiding or sabotaging her by neither purpose nor accident. So she continued as she had, ranging over the fields and hills from afar to track the herds. This was how she found the injured doe, still fat from the summer's plenty, but hobbled by its injury. Ragna could have sought out any of the Malkaria, any able hunter would do. But the best test of a wolf was not only of how well she worked alone, but how well she followed orders and worked as a team.

Ragna watched Giana eat, and as she did, she spoke. Not far, but large, she said, and was happy to leave it at that. Yet she continued. The better informed the newcomer was, the better they would do. To the south, in the cedar sweep. The herd is not far. There is an injured doe among them. The herd was perfectly placed. Two wolves could herd them towards the river. There, only one would need to chase from behind while the other kept the herd from diverging from their path. They could force the doe into the river, and that would be the end.