Swiftcurrent Creek momentum

Relonikiv righted himself just before his mother briefly stepped over him and his brothers came bustling onto the scene, equally eager to greet their guest. When he saw Trajan's dominance display, he flattened himself again, though not in time to avoid the blow. It didn't hurt, not really, but he released a muffled, Oof. He then wormed backward slightly, moving himself away from his pushy older brother and turning in Paarthurnax's direction when she came back inside and lay beside the slumbering Durnehviir.

But he didn't want to sleep. Changing his mind, the littlest puppy turned again, scooting back toward the visitor but arcing around Trajan and Julius to Scimitar's other side. While the large male presumably addressed the two pups at his fore, Relonikiv slid into his shadow and emerged between his front legs, staring out at his brothers and grinning brightly at them. He didn't fear rebuke, sensing that the adult would prevent his brothers from getting at him.