mahler had begun to entertain the concept of visiting the duckling more frequently. the process of language growth was pleasing to him in the same way that songnotes soothed his ears. there was a rhythm, a linear line much more easily followed. and to that vein he wished to add his own mother-tongue, if only to see how the pathways changed, or if they would at all. 
it was due to wylla's daughter upon his mind that mahler found himself hypervigilant. charcoal mask tightened in an inscrutable expression; he was off at a powerful lope, stippled hackles boar-stiff and head lowered. and when he came upon the ashwolf upon the bank, he thought only zu nah and gave a great snarl in her direction.