After she had extolled early termination to the ermine burrow that had been strategically placed near Ankyra's cache, Caiaphas felt a sudden impulse to visit Ravensblood. It had been some time since she visited the shadowy province, and her mind hungered for isolation.

Prowling past her subordinates, she managed to elude any inquiries -- and adopting a swift canter, the little coywolf stole straight to the heart of Ravensblood. As she neared its darkened borders her gaze uplifted to the bare trees -- where were the ravens the gloomy forest was named after?

Had Charon been an adult, his approach would have elicited aggression -- but he was young, and Caiaphas' attention was fully upon him as he came closer. He seemed the loquacious type, but what most struck her about his outward aspect were the spots that populated his short muzzle. They reminded her of that other wolf -- the one that had announced a proclivity for eating juveniles. He had been peculiar, but amusing. She smiled openly and wondered if this one would have made the wolf's jaws slaver with hunger.

Charon's questions went unanswered as Caiaphas furtively looked about her, inspecting the vicinity for any adults that may have followed him. Despite the smile that had bloomed on her countenance moments before, her expression was neither warm nor welcoming. Wickedly she pulled close and skirted about the youth like a snake, her round yellow eyes fastened on his unique appearance. "Yes I am, little one. Newly appointed." She stole a glance about her again, testing the air for any would-be pupsitter. "Is it custom at the Bay for pups to wander unattended?" A beguiling shade of concern washed her features, but Caiaphas was neither concerned nor uneasy by Charon's lack of supervising.

This was, after all, the second babe in the woods the Bay had been so generous to provide her.

This one was sharp -- as he turned to accost Caiaphas with disbelief in his voice she glanced at him sidelong, the smile but a remnant ghost on her stark countenance. "That's because I haven't met Thistle before." She omitted -- a lie -- she had met Thistle Cloud once? Or twice? She only recalled that the agouti was Ragnar's betrothed or something or other.

She sat in the sand simply, a patter of her tail issued as if admitting defeat. "I've only met Ragnar, and not for very long." Caiaphas was careful to remain attentive to her surroundings, lest a true Stavanger native arise. "I'm Blythe." Her second lie.

She studied Charon carefully, noting he was roughly the same age as both Larus and Kevlyn. A rush of panic fluttered in her heart as the startling realization overcame her -- was it possible this was one that Kevlyn had left behind? Charon did not bear any scent that Caiaphas recognized, but she could not possibly elect not to ask.. "I guess you're not alone. Are your siblings or mom about?"

The sea-crone listened as the youth prattled, his glib slowly eeking every vestige of endurance Caiaphas had for sprightly children. Her adoration for Kevlyn was indefatigable -- but he was a stark contrast from the industrious Charon.

His inquiry was followed by a darkening of her expression, one of menace and distaste. Her eyes hardened. A growl, cut short but throaty, briefly outpoured into the crisp air. She lowered her head, the parchment-thin skin that composed her gaunt countenance wrinkled with genuine resentment. "I know, because they stole something from me."

She spoke with conviction, but her passion fell short of an explanation, or even an answer to Charon's last inquiry. With a brisk flick of her tail the scrawny wretch turned on her haunches to quit Charon's bright company.