The ridge was but a pathway to the mountains above. After some debate, Echelon had decided to take her travel weary body upward. From there, she could gain a better vantage point, gain more of the bearings that she had cast away. The wilderness was a different place in the winter, the landmarks that she recalled from before were now covered in a cold, damp pack of snow. The forests that were alight in leafy fires were no more and in turn, the world had been long plunged into a world of starkness. Save for the evergreens, that was. But there were not as many along the ridge that she had hoped for, leaving the breaks between the wind far and few between.
Snaking her way through a narrow crevice, the lithe Tartok wolf paused for a breather. She knew she should have rested a bit more before attempting that climb. Her stubborn side had won out, that prideful and arrogant beast rearing its head and claiming that she could really do anything. But no amount of training could stave off exhaustion. The food she could handle doing with less of, but the rest was by far one of the more important things she had failed to collect. And Echelon hated it with a passion. She moved on after few more moments, preparing herself to skirt along the next rough span that lied ahead.
voice of the seven thunders — disappearances
The lithe male fox scampered over boulders and gulleys, his small body twisting and leaping, slowly making it's way to the top. The little patched creature became to tire after hours of scampering to the top. Deciding to rest, maybe nap for a bit, Kesik noticed the heavy scent of wolf. His ear flicked as he considered. He had heard many stories of wolves, but never before spoke to one. Perhaps this one-a fae- would be friendly. Following the scent, he stepped cautiously through a gully, barley wide enough for him. The dark wolf was before him, as beautiful and elegant as the stories told. He bowed his speckled head, sparkling blue optics trained on her. "Greeting, ma'am. I am Kesik." his head tilted as he looked up at her. "May I have the honor of knowing your name, dark one?' he said respectfully.
While her journey had been uneventful for the most part, there would always come a time when the solitude would be interrupted. This time, however, it was not by another wolf. Instead, it was the fuzzy head of a fox that emerged from the terrain. She was inwardly surprised at his boldness, standing in the way of the path and daring to approach her. Perhaps most of all, she was surprised that he came offering a name and questions to follow.
She curled her lip up ever so slightly, a warning to the lesser canine. Foxes were known for being flighty, their cunning and skill second to none at times. A nuisance, even. But she had never had the experience of speaking with one either, as they were more inclined to go vaulting away from their larger canine kin. No doubt with good reason. Foxes were for chasing. With a warning show of her teeth, she decided that it wasn't worth trying to chase the fox on the rough terrain here. Too risky and frankly, she wasn't interested in the conversation — Echelon passed the small creature up with nothing to say and continued on her way.
editing in an ending...