Upon reaching the river, Njal had crossed it where it was possible - swimming partway through it, and left frigid and wet - and then he found himself amongst some oddly hot springs. He kept away from them for the most part, investigating the marshy edge as he passed. The river was a fine one. It rushed on by with a healthy gusto, and Njal followed it carefully. His body was alert for strangers as he hiked along, but was inevitably taken in by the familiarity the water posed. He crept along the edge-stones and dipped his head for a quick drink, resting long enough to rejuvenate his travelling body, and then he moved on. As he headed north along the riverside, the pulse of the water led him closer and closer to his destination. He came upon it as evening was just settling in, which was not a good sign. The man didn't want to cause suspicion so he doubled back and nestled in a grove of trees for the night.

In the morning Njal roused himself and wandered to the river again. It took a few precious hours to fish out a couple of plump offerings, and he was off again - but, forgetting about the distance between his fishing spot and the pack, he ended up pausing to eat one of the gifts. By the time he arrived the two fish were starting to smell, and the blood from the third still tainted his muzzle. He plopped them down and began nosing around in the grass. Aided by the thin rain, he was able to clean himself up, for the most part. Without further ado the man let out a baying call which transitioned fluidly in to a friendly hello; calling for the wolf named @Peregrine which Fox had told him to seek out.

The wait was minimal and Njal mentally commended the rival pack for their abilities, meanwhile watching the tree line and trying to remain as passive as possible. It was difficult for the warden to fight his instinct, and being within such close proximity did bring a sort of nervousness to him; he felt exposed here, even with a gift in tow. But such thoughts were shoved back in to the dark pit they came from, when a figure slid in to vision. It was a swarthy male, younger than himself, but with a commanding air about him; there was also something deeper, darker, which was voiced as soon as the man was within earshot of the visitor.

Njal was tempted to ask, simply to lend an ear. It did not seem appropriate.

Without further ado, the grizzled wanderer plopped the fat fish upon the soil. "I am Njal Sveijarn, a warden from Swiftcurrent Creek." He stated plainly, getting to the point so that the dark man would not have to linger here for long. "I am here to pass on the news that our previous alpha, Lethe, passed away." Njal wasn't sure what sort of connection these wolves had to the creek, but it was tasked to him to spread this news where others had failed, so he would do so. Although, regarding the Alpha who now stood before him, it seemed like a pithy bit of information in the face of whatever he was dealing with; the talk of a death did not seem to sit well between them.

"Our new leader goes by Fox. She wished for me to tell you and your pack of this, for I assume we are allies in some way." That was an awkward way to put it. Njal had never dealt with any wolves from the plateau pack; he knew little of their existence let alone their relation to his own home. He was swift to carry out his duty though, eager to stay within Fox's good graces. A pause, then. Njal watched the dark figure for some kind of clue - but he just looked tired. Heavy. As if something was sitting ill with him indeed. Despite it not being his place, Njal blurted a question - "Are you and your family doing alright?"

Sheepishly (for Njal soon realized how invasive the question could be seen) he ducked his head respectfully and drew back a step, giving Peregrine more space in case he just wanted him gone. The news had been passed on and Njal did not wish to overstay his welcome.

The man was sharp-tongued and uninterested in what Njal had to say, which came as a surprise to him. More because he personally did not know what to expect. It was clear by Peregrine's language that he was either under great stress, or truly disinterested in Njal's attempts to convey information. He took it all in with a nervous silence surrounding him. The man's cursing and subsequent refusal to talk about his own family was met with a blank look. He should not have asked and the result was understandable - but still, Njal felt the rejection of the other, and made as if to leave. He stalked a few paces backward and in the process left the fish behind, with barely any glance towards the gifts he had chosen to bestow upon the cantankerous youth. "I will take your sentiments back to her." The man gruffly stated, this time with little warmth as it was clear warmth was not necessary here. With a bow of his head signalling the end of the abrupt meeting Njal began to turn away in earnest, and without further prompting he would make his way from the plateau's edge and towards the river again, perhaps to snake his way back the way he had come. He held Peregrine's response in his mind but did not reflect upon it too much; so far his attempts at being a proper outrider were not going as planned.

Work was done. He had met with the alpha of the plateau and relayed the message, and now Njal was set on returning home to his wife. He thought of this and it brought an energy in to him which had temporarily been sapped away. He got a few steps away from the dark figure before stopping - prompted by his voice. Wait.

He took a breath, and put aside the thoughts of Tuwawi and their future. Ears fell back briefly as he dismissed her mentally, but retained a calm demeanor as he shifted around to face the man again. The look on his face was curious, but he did not speak - silently imploring Peregrine for whatever it was he wished to say.

The first bit of news that was granted to him was pleasant, and internally Njal wondered why the man was so disgruntled. Surely the growth of the pack was worth celebrating? He allowed a smooth smile to flow across his muzzle, which faltered only when Peregrine gave him a new message to convey to Fox.

The thought that Fox would be so rude as to piss all over the plateau was... Not surprising, really. He held back a chuckle but the mirth crept to his eyes. "I will tell her." The man stated with a small nod; then, without missing a beat he added, "Congratulations. I wish good luck upon you and your own." He bowed then, stout as he was, and turned to leave once more. With a brisk stride the grizzled man moved away from the border and towards the north, intent on finding a route home.