his wounds were on the mend, no small thanks to izel. he was perhaps not quite fit enough to travel, but his paws were restless, and he found himself on the move. not for good--he wasn't ready, yet, to leave the plateau behind. but he needed some kind of small adventure; it was a hunger, deep in the pit of his stomach.

govinda clambered down the smallest part of the cliffs and found himself in the ruined forest, the once-proud trees reduced to shells of their former selves. he meandered through, feeling as if this were some sort of extended metaphor. it was much like the question of life imitating art (or vice versa). unlike the woods, though, he had brought the fire upon himself. the trees were innocent.

he ceased his existential musings when he came across the woman, similarly walking through the trees. giving her a chuff, he limped over to her, brows raised in question. she was young--it reminded him of dawn, and his heart ached--and smelled strongly of the sea: she was as much a part of the waves as he. one corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.

"i hope you don't live here," govinda murmured, trying to ease the sadness of this place.

they were joined soon by a rangy gray man, and both of them seemed. . .stiff, suspicious. govinda wondered if his solitude, though brief, had dulled his normally sharp sense of manners, and he inhaled, scenting for border markings. he found none; he cast his gaze upon the newcomer, then back to the girl, not sure who this ford was that they referred to--

--feeling very much like the third wheel in a conversation he was not meant to overhear.

"have i intruded upon your home, or part of it? if so, i apologize," govinda said softly, lowering his head the barest amount. a small bow, the remainder of his courtly charm. "i am new to this part of the coast and am still getting my bearings." his eyes were gentle with apology, but there remained a question in them, all the same.

i see, govinda said politely, nodding. he wasn't very familiar with the concept of ownership. defending a territory--sure! but he had never had a family, and thus had never had familial land over which to be possessive. he could sympathize with it, though. and it seemed that the girl was not a part of this family, either, though had found herself with them much like he had integrated into morningside.

my name is govinda, he introduced himself, lifting his nose to point back the direction he came. i live on the plateau over there--perhaps only for a short while, until i move on. i'm not sure. the word plateau felt so strange in his mouth; it reminded him of the good days with dawn, pema, grayday. . . oh, grayday. what he wouldn't give to hear the man's words of wisdom just once more.

his face grew impassive as the young man extended the offer, taking it in while holding his cards close to his chest. tempting, sure. . .but he had izel to think about. not that she couldn't take care of herself, but he did owe his life to her, in part. would she be willing to take up with this band of youngsters? he wasn't quite sure on that.

thank you, govinda responded, his voice half-wry as he acknowledged the profane judgment. you are right on that account. i will think it over. we are not so far from each other that our paths will not cross again. it was true--the forest had only been a short journey away from the plateau. if it was truly meant to be, this would not be the last time govinda would see the pair.

how many are in your group? he added, ears swiveling in interest. he smelled quite a few on their pelts, but there were--to his knowledge--no others nearby.