Sangilak moved throughout the territory, driven to get to know it intimately. The entrance of it was well-guarded by the land itself, but the choice of residence was interesting for that reason as well. Still, she supposed that once one was beyond that, the land was safe and offered much. It would keep enemies away, she imagined. How were they to know the danger ended there? They would be wrong, of course; the danger truly ended with their last breath, with the fangs of Tartok at their neck—she adjusted her course of thought. Drageda. This was the land of Thuringwethil, who had proven herself to be a hospitable host. Sangilak herself would never had permitted this, though the choice was not her own but her mothers. She thought on this idly; they took no prisoners, or visitors. Tartok was aligned to only itself. But she did not question herself, or her path; she was Anneriwok, and she had not yet chosen, had she?

Herself, Thuringwethil, and Tatkret had hunted prior to their arrival, and Sangilak had allowed herself to be a glutton and take a truly restorative rest the night before. Upon rousing, she began to climb the land ahead, wondering if this were the pack the tawny wolf had mentioned to her upon the other Peak. The higher she climbed, the more at home she felt as the temperatures began to lower some.

She had anticipated it would come to this. And she did not detest it, either. With a light in her eyes Sangilak lifted both her head and her tail in contest. Sangilak understood that here, she must test others and test their limits. Sangilak had hoped it would not be him she came against first, but another of Drageda, who knew their ways, their methods. Sangilak would never throw the entirety of herself at another then and there, for obvious reasons; the night before she had eaten more than her full. Sangilak was not in the shape she ought to be for this; one nights rest and a full stomach did not bode well. And yet she challenged him for another reason. If she did not best him–which she could not rightfully expect–let him understand something of her character, her nature. 

Sangilak took nothing lying down.

They moved for one another and battled. It was not brief. She condemned herself for her greed just the night ago, and yet felt his skill in every move. With only a night of true rest, Sangilak held her own. Her exhaustion betrayed her; Sangilak snarled but at length relented. She was no suicidal fool; they had both said their peace. Sangilak had brought down two his age, and then another–yet it was he she, in her state, could not best this day.

She nodded to him before dipping her head, a respect for him finding its way to her. She understood that he had won–this time–but yet... Yet... 

Sangilak struggled. She had never been born to or desired status; nothing had been handed to her. Even then her ambition lay dormant. Sangilak did not struggle with her loss; had she truly desired victory this day? Even still, she contemplated her wants while thinking on his skill. 

His gesture was rewarded with what she perceived was recommended, and she adjusted her posture accordingly. A roguish gleam in her eye suggested she was pleased by the turn of events, even though she had lost the battle this day, it was to be expected. She was no fool, but she had wished to test him regardless; know his maneuvers for when she might truly be a worthy opponent, when she suffered less from this exhaustion and her belly was not fit to burst at the seams.

She moved alongside him and nipped his shoulder, fonder of him already for the activity. Her own ears were pricked forward, but flicked as she began to stride ahead. Now that this battle had ended, she wished to patrol. Business and pleasure sometimes came hand-in-hand.