The man had been moving for what felt like days. Taking little rest, he churned on on search of a home fitting for the broken cleric and the tedious monk he guarded. It had been his duty, his promise, and Raheerah always kept his promises. They had set him free, so the very least he could do was to find a hidden home for them, as was part of their agreement. After the brief run-in with the wolves of the plateau, their search became dire. It would seem like they had already made enemies on behalf of Raheerah's vicious tongue, and finding a place for Dawa to restore her health, to feed, and be protected from such enemies was growing paramount. Thus he explored, he ventured for days on end to finally find her paradise.

He did find it, hidden comfortably between the mountain ranges. In the shadows of rocks, it was hidden from wind and prying eyes, and voices echoed quietly among themselves. The man had deemed it worthy of their home, and brought them back. For now, the two remained tucked into their valley while Raheerah explored the sidelines, meandering through the mountains and the stone, ensuring that no beast previously inhabited this valley. If that were the case, he would chase them out or kill them. He had to make certain that it would be a safe place, to keep his end of the bargain.

Though the creature of smoke had not expected to encounter any - he was almost confident that this place was erected in total solitude - one such being did find itself within his unfortunate gaze. A single eye burned as it fell upon the wolf rested by the gentle brook. The water carved through rocks and bubbled seamlessly down its path; were it not for the imposing presence of the dragon, it could have been peaceful. She stank of Blacktail Deer Plateau. Of course, he had to assume that she'd been sent to track them. "It is unwiiiiise to rest your head when there are monsters about." The brute thundered as he drew nearer to her, cocking his head down at the female. There was a lilt of humor in his voice, though it was dark, foreboding.

She spoke before she looked at him, a reason why perhaps she did not speak with caution. Raheerah maintained his position a dozen or so feet away from her and wavered his tail high above him, but aside from that, he made no attempt to intimidate her. His eye narrowed slightly, but he found only amusement. "Suuch is the life of a plateau wolf." He snorted in derision. "Perhaps if you wished to be free, you would not staaalk themmm." His words followed through with an accusatory hiss, and he took another step, eying her. He hoped that he was right, if only to find an excuse to shed her blood, to pinch her skin between his teeth. He hungered.

Raheerah said nothing more and awaited her response, evaluating her, and curling back his lips to run his tongue over his yellowed fangs.

When she countered him with a correction, of all things, Raheerah sharply cocked his head to one side and narrowed his single eye at her with suspicion. He was not stalking her; did she mean that the wolves of the plateau were? That seemed unlikely, she was part of their ranks. Apparently. But he was done speaking in riddles. The beast uttered a rumble and lashed his tail with agitation. "If the wolves of the plateau have sent yoouu. I will allow you to fleee, now, with your with your body still intaact." He spat, and the fur on his body bristled. He could see no other reason for her being here than to have followed them, but perhaps she could redeem herself yet. Be it by fleeing or by proving otherwise.

His skin had begun to itch. The cold made it dry, and uncomfortable; it was difficult to find relief in the frigid weather, that sapped all moisture from its air. Each breath taken was accompanied by a low roiling growl, a heavy grunt akin to a bear that just ran miles. Finally, he leaned back onto his haunches and raised a hind leg, scratching relentlessly at a patch of exposed skin on his neck. It may not have done well to improve his look of intimidation, but Raheerah had little use for looks. He could prove ferocity well enough in a fight.

She appeared somewhat confused by his statement. He looked her over, and found himself agreeing; she was somewhat paltry in form. But perhaps her job had not been to take him down, merely to spy. The beast remained silent, clearly not so accepting of her doubt. Not until she added on that her fondness of the plateau wolves was dwindled. That was something he could find himself in agreement with. "Aand how could I trust yoouu?" He snorted, placing his hind leg back on the ground with a shake of his heavy, oily fur. "Haave they wroonged yoouu?" The beast added with mild interest and curiosity. For now, his uncertainty and hostility towards her was set aside in favor of this new information.