Grouse Thicket but we can overcome

Kodlak knew that he would have to cut through some of the thicket in order to pass directly east. He wasn’t interested in drawing close to the borders of marked terrain. The Nord had not yet decided if he was willing to pledge himself to the ranks of another pack. His mind had trailed to Jorrvaskr; he missed his home. In his mind, nothing could match the jutting peaks and rocky stretch of mountain. The Harbinger was certain that he would never find another place where he felt as welcome.
 
Another scent cut through the copse; one the wind, Kodlak could tell that it belonged to a pledged wolf. Drawing his head upward, the Nord inhaled sharply. The pale sea colors in his gaze searched the brush for any signs of movement – of retreat or pursuit – but did not see a thing. In his year of travel, he had found that most packs south of Jorrvaskr had been filled with differences he wasn’t accustomed to. Open-minded, Kodlak only turned away from political standings. He was a warrior, after all, and he did not imagine there was an issue that could not be resolved by the sharpness of his fangs or the weight of his body.
 
Lowering his broad frame toward the earth, the Nord slipped into the thicket and was cloaked by shadow. Once in the brush, he could smell the grouse that nestled there. More so, the scent of the other wolf was stronger to him. He searched once more and did not see a figure to match the aroma, so the warrior pushed forward on careful steps.