The familiarity of Riverclan had fallen behind him. The ground beneath his paws was different and new. It did not carry the scents of the wolves that he had grown familiar with. He did not believe that anyone from his home had seen this new world.
For all the excitement of finding something new, Stormpup felt his legs had grown tired. The boy plopped to his butt in the shade of a tall tree. His eyes shifted to his surroundings, wondering if he might be able to find his way back. The trees had started to blend together. They all looked the same.
A distressed whimper sounded in the air.
the to'lang instructed her on two things: a river and the feather.
the former was clear in its purpose. the latter could be mean anything: perhaps the spiritual cost of her haka had not been met.
riverwater parted around qiao's stilt-like legs.
ahead of her came the sound of a whimper.
A sign of motion drew the young wolf's eye. He saw her before he realized what she was. The sharp highlights of redstone hairs. The dark coloring along her back and tail. Stormpup licked his chops and squinted sharply upon the woman. She was a stranger to him but the boy did not show signs of fear.
On stiff legs, Stormpup drew a few paces closer to the woman. A grumble of uncertainty sounded from the back of his throat.
Was this woman going to return him to his home? To his sister?
damp scents of rivermoss and reeds clung to the child's coat. qiao's gaze furtively checked her surroundings.
by all accounts, he seemed alone.
his fur was dark with dirt, his posture stiff. she fancied his ribcage showed through a thin pelt.
as he approached, she pulled a piece of dried meat from her deerskin.
hungry?
The meat lifted his chin, whiskers quivering at the end of his snout. He wanted it more than he had ever wanted anything. The hunger that gnawed at his belly was compelling enough to dispel his concern.
A stranger wouldn't offer food if she had cruel intentions.
Yes,
came his sullen tone. Stormpup took a tentative step toward the woman. His eyes searched her for signs that she might betray him. The meat urged him closer to her, one step after the other. His ears were sharp atop his dark head.
the meat hung between them, the tantalizing bait to qiao’s careful trap.
she tossed it at his feet. let him eat! his sorry state announced his hunger better than any hopeful, hungry gaze could.
qiao coiled the deerskin loosely on top of itself, chewing her own piece of meat with thoughtfulness.
i suppose i should get you more. where are your parents?
qiao lured the child deeper into the forest, mind scheming with delight.