among the mountain, muskrat found evidence of others.

weeks of waking ridge darkness had made her a wraith outside the stonebound home. delicate her movements, exploring the signposts left by travelers.

strong and new was the fragrance of one clan. a female wolf had come alone, then again, with another of the same sex. their scents poured over the side of the mountain, down into the valley.

a smile flickered to life. nutu yikruk needed a raid to prove herself. and the boy-child she had taken, well. he too must earn the life gifted to him.

muskrat inched away, gliding into the falling night.