Bitterroot Valley Out the window

Although it was October now, the afternoon air was warm when the trio set off from the borders of Drageda, loping toward the sprawling valley just south of the volcano. When they arrived, Wildfire paused and motioned for @Freyja and @Gavriel to do the same. She exchanged a look with the guardian, then squinted out over the inviting grassland. Everything appeared calm, quiet and still. The yearling ran her tongue over her bottom lip, then made a decisive motion and began walking again.

"See these?" she spoke aloud as they approached one of many ruts crisscrossing the shrub land. "This is a game trail. The deer and elk walk in single file, more or less, wearing these patterns in the grass." She looked over at her young charge. "Go ahead and see if you can find any fresh scents," Wildfire invited, her black tail lifting into a slow wave as she double-checked Gavriel's position about thirty feet away.