Bearclaw Valley bakers dozen

token delivery! @Ameline

The morning air was crisp, the kind that bit at the lungs and carried the faint, earthy scent of damp soil and fallen leaves. Cole moved with purpose, his large paws pressing into the frost-kissed ground as he wove through the undergrowth. He held his head low, but not in submission—rather, in focus. Clutched carefully in his jaws were the tokens he had gathered: delicate bird skulls bleached by time, a smooth shell bearing whispers of the river’s current, and the small skulls of rodents.
A strange collection to some, perhaps, but he knew their value. These were offerings—proof of his diligence, his devotion to the valley and its ways. The tokens had weight beyond their physical form. They were a promise. A testament to his capability.
His thoughts drifted briefly to Winslet, as they often did. Her gentle smile, the warmth of her touch. She was his comfort, his steady place in this world. She had softened the rough edges of his heart, but she had not dulled him. No, she gave him reason to be sharp.
Cole’s eyes narrowed as he crested a small hill. He sought Ameline—the Regina, the woman who bore their traditions like armor. He respected her, deeply. She was the kind of leader who had earned it. And now, he would present what he had gathered.
He paused, adjusting his grip on the tokens. Then, with a low chuff to announce himself, he pressed onward.

Wellllll than! Ameline’s voice was filled with pleasant surprise to see Cole had gained possession of so many new tokens. Damn, Cole, I should’ve athked you to bring me back thomethin’ right rare an’ pretty; you managed to find all thith? She was flabbergasted. 

Her expectations for the man were high, currently- but he’d exceeded every one this far. She shook her head in disbelief and moved forward to butt her head against his shoulder in congratulations. With shining eyes, she grinned at him.

Hedrogue you are, She said. And you’ll take the title with you- I’ve got a thcouting mission I think you’ll enjoy More’n thcavenging thkullth and featherth, She teased. Quick mission out to Thwiftcurrent Creek, to ek-thend our Thankth for their help with Winthlet. Figured you would be the man betht fit for the job if you’ll take it, She said.

Cole gave a slow nod, a flicker of amusement barely touching the corners of his mouth. Had time to get 'em all, he murmured, voice low and steady, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Ameline’s disbelief didn’t bother him—he’d never been one to do things halfway. When she butted against his shoulder, he barely shifted, though the weight of it, the familiarity, settled somewhere deep in his chest.
Swiftcurrent Creek, he echoed, mulling over the name. It wasn’t a place he knew well, but he understood what was being asked of him. A mission, not just a run for scavenged goods, but a show of gratitude. I’ll take it.
His gaze met hers, unwavering. Oughta bring ‘em somethin’ in return. You got anything in mind? He wasn't much for showing thanks in words—actions had always been more his speed. If they’d helped Winslet, they deserved more than just a nod in passing.

He moved from one rank to the next with seamless ease, unsurprisingly. And he embraced with it, a shift in duties- she expected he might be relieved to have a task that was more diplomatic in nature, than simply scavenging for tokens. 

I'd think tho, She agreed. Well, in the patht we've done thome tradeth with 'em that've involved allowing Arlette- that's the beta'th wife- to come here in the Thpring an' Thummer to collect herbth...We can ekthtend that invitation again for thith year but yeah, like you I kinda figured we ought to bring 'em thomethin.' I dunno if they got any litterth ekthpected thith year, but otherwithe, meat maketh a good gift. I'm gonna need my pelt-th thoon enough, tho I can't offuh that right now. She said. Leth you got any ideath? She said, open for suggestions.

Cole listened, quiet as always, weighing her words. She was right—meat was always a good gift, practical, something that wouldn’t go to waste. He didn’t mind the trade of herbs either, not that he had much use for ‘em himself, but he knew their value.
Could hunt some pelts, he offered, rolling the thought over. Get some bones as toys for their kids, maybe. Even if they don’t got litters now, they’ll have ‘em eventually.
He shifted his weight, scratching at the dirt with one broad paw. Maybe even some dried meat. Something easy to carry. If they need it bad enough, they’ll be grateful for it.
His gaze flicked back to her, gauging her reaction. Could throw in something else if you think it’d make a difference. You know ‘em better than I do.

His suggestions were taken, both ears canted toward him. She was curious to see what he felt was a good offer- considering their help had saved the life of a wolf he held very dear. Pelts were a luxury, and dried meat an excellent suggestion as it would withstand both time and travel. She nodded, and blinked like a happy cat. 

How about a pelt, with thome dried bithon meat? We have thome thaved from that latht hunt, She suggested. She too considered Winslet well worth a hefty reward, and was willing to sacrifice some of her own supply to show her thanks. Thothe, an' the invitation to gather herbth in the Thpring...We could plan for a midthummer hunt with them too, if they're up for it. She suggested. All of the Bearclaw children will be old enough to mingle an' watch the hunt, by that point, She added.

A pelt and dried bison meat—practical, valuable, and a fitting gesture of gratitude. It was a good trade, one worth the effort. The invitation for herb gathering in the spring was another smart move, keeping their connections open beyond just this exchange.
That’s a good idea, he agreed, rolling his shoulders. I’ll get that in the works. It wouldn’t take much time to set aside the supplies, and it was worth making sure the trade was handled right.
The mention of a midsummer hunt had him humming in thought. Would be good, he admitted. Let the young ones learn from different hunters. A pause, then a slight smirk. If they’re anything like their parents, they’ll be tearing up the valley before we know it.
It was practical, but it meant more than that. Strengthening ties, ensuring their survival. They had a future to build, and this was part of it.