The travel to the natural archway was slower going than her usual trips, the mucky wetlands slowing her down as she slogged through the mud and murky shallows. The sight was well worth it in the end.
The rocks were split by some natural disaster, crumbles of rock piled at the foot of both sides. She easily climbed the lower peices, finding a bit of fun to it as she explored the abandoned rabbit dens and places that had obviously been home to abundant prey. The creek that wound between the rocky bypass was stocked with fish, supplying much of her dinner that night.
Heldi lay on the ground by the creek, gnawing a fish spine in the hopes that she could crack it and eat the nutritious marrow within. Food was scarce and bone marrow was a good source of protein. Heldi hadn't survived a flood to shy away from bones and die of starvation.
Having told Amara that she was scouting for herbs outside of the border, Minna now found herself at the banks of a river. Lapping and the clear current, she reasoned she may have gone a smidgen far- but she had been caught up in adventure. Her tong flicked sideways to catch a stray droplet, and she looked into the waters carefully. She wasn't the best at fishing, but-
her muzzle darted into the water, and to her delight she caught a medium sized fish. She ate it quickly and efficiently, breaking a few of the bones and sucking out the marrow, which she thought tasted a little odd.
She continued her journey down the creek. Just a little further- then she would turn back. To her delight, another worm came into view- a female, laying on the riverbank gnawing at something. Minna approached amiably, chuffing a greeting as she approached and stopped.
So invested was Heldi in cracking the bone that when it finally did, she glanced up to see a woman standing over her. What an odd coat colour. Heldi gestured to the rest of the fish bones amiably.
"Hello, I'm Heldi. Care for a bone?" The bastard of Vledfest returned to her own bone, sucking up the marrow with a slurp.
The marbled female grinned, delighted with this female's kindness. "Hello, Heldi. I'm Minna. I would one, thank you!" she beamed, padding softly forward to join the female by the river bank. This female lacked the strong smell of pack Minna had recently gained, meaning she must be a loner.
She gnawed on a bone in silence for a moment, relishing the marrow when she finally cracked it open. She glanced over at Heldi. "May I ask where you are from? I came from the north, and recently joined a pack called Rosings. Do you search for a pack?"
Heldi nodded, recognizing the scent of a pack and already ruling Minna out as a recruit for either of Zephyr's packs.
"The place I was born is called The East but I came into this land from the northern direction. I search for a place for my future Alpha's pack. He is a close friend who has plans to begin his own."
Minna's interest peaked at the mention of a future pack. She had come across wolves like Heldi before, who along with a group of likeminded wolves sought to forge their own way in the world. She found it admirable, but did not have the urge to lead such a venture herself. "Oh!" she chuffed. "Were might you hope of settling, Heldi?"
She displayed a genuine interest in the females intention, but a smaller part of her thought she ought to learn more to pass on to her pack. This wolf seemed unhostile, but it would be good to know if they did end up settling near Rosings.
"I'm not sure yet, at the moment I'm just looking around. Scouting I suppose you could call it." Heldi mused aloud, not at all worried about relinquishing too much information.
It wasn't as if she were supposed to keep it a secret. Hell, Zephyr probably wanted her to tell people in hopes of finding recruits. If not, oh well. Minna already knew all that Heldi did about the subject.
So they were just on the beginning of their journey- still, it was admirable. "Well, I wish you luck" she chuffed, looking at the river. Then another thought crossed her mind. "Do you by chance know the name of this place? I may have wandered a little far from my pack"
Knowing the name of this place meant she could bring back some information to the alphas, if pressed for her disapearence. Coming home empty handed after being gone for such a long time would not be the best image she could offer to her pack. She would try hunting on her way back, maybe catch some prey for the growing pack.
Heldi's brows furrowed as she tried to remember. "Something with an 'N' I believe. Nactisador? Whatever it was, it's Nactisador Bypass. I know the word Bypass is in there for sure."
"Thank you, I hope you find your way back to Rosings safely. I believe I must be continuing on my path." With a nod of farewell, Heldi got to her feet and loped away leaving the bones for Minna or perhaps some other scavenger.
Minna stored the information in her mind, saying a cheery goodbye to the female and watching her as she departed, leaving the bones behind. Minna gladly gnawed them for a few minutes, studying the "Bypass" as she chewed. Perhaps she woulod just do a little more peeking around- then she would head for home. 'Home'. Minna grinned to herself, rolling the world around her tongue. When the female was well and truly out of sight, Minna stood, ready to examin the Bypass closer.