King Elk Forest Funny old world

He honestly had no idea if she was just being annoying or if he had annoyed her enough that somehow it made her more chatty.  She just prattled on, and on, and on, and on.  He tuned her out.  It wasn't like she was saying anything of particular importance.  He was here to talk to Tindome, and since she was not of their ranks, nor apparently anyone of importance at all, why bother?

He moved on from the cache, along an elk-worn game trail that wound farther on.  It was still plenty used, but not by critters with paws.  It took a bit before he realized she'd finally stopped rambling.  He replied to the silence, coolly, Was any of that important?   He'd found something new to investigate -- a not quite right-seeming arcing and branching silhouette nestled partially in detritus (and possibly snow, since this thread is old, zomg).  His pace increased a little, curious but wary.

Turns out, it was a pair of antlers -- they were actually attached to a skull, and some other bones were scattered around as well, all long since cleaned.  Was this that stupid elk that Delight had talked about?  Had he been with anyone else, he would have made some snarky remark about how the elk starved to death after it ate all the wolves, but he guessed the old bat would probably go out of her way to misunderstand a joke in order to feel superior.  Instead, all she'd get was a thoughtful, Hm, before he turned away to continue searching for clues.  If the plateau had been closer, he might have hauled it on home, but that rack was huge and would get snagged on anything and everything the whole way back.

At some point, the annoying coywolf had probably talked herself away into the undergrowth, complaining all the way.  Quixote wasn't exactly sure when or where she went, but he assumed that she'd be pissed off if she ever saw him again.  He was ok with that.