Emberflame Ridge the new york tribune

There had been a deer trail cutting through the marsh.
It coursed towards the mountains in patches, with wide sections interspersed between narrow cuts through the grass; she thought, 'A herd—spooked more than once.' Not by her, though. It was easy enough to find the path that they quick-stepped across the earth, and fortunately so... There were scattered clouds catching overhead, and a dampness to the earth here.
Onwards, upwards.
Soon she was surrounded by a chill as the clouds deepened against the mountains, and she could taste it—rain, and soon. A flare of reds upon the next ridge made her heart throb as she yearned for home; and soon enough Severine was picking her way among the trees which were so much like Red-River's own.
There was the temptation to cast her voice high! To sing to the spirits with the hope her mother might hear—but no, she knew better, especially if she hoped to eat tonight.

Speckletooth knew better than to hunt alone, but he had grown desperate as he attempted to travel through the mountains. The lands were quiet, and he hadn't found carrion for days now. His rumbling stomach pushed him towards a herd.

He was wary the first time around, and not careful enough. He had spooked the deer and they ran, and the deer running had spooked him too. Speckletooth had ran the other way out of pure fear of the stomping hooves.

On his second attempt he was more cautious, spotting a small, young deer, who he was sure would be an easy target. This time his plans were foiled when double vision lost track of the target while he was running behind the herd.

Now he had come to his third attempt, walking as quietly as he could manage through the trees. A lucky breeze carried the scent of another wolf, and excitement prickled in his chest. Someone to help, he hoped.

Speckletooth did not share the strangers reasonable conclusion to keep quiet, throwing up his head for a heavy howl. Somewhere nearby, hoofs began to thud against the soft ground.

The voice that burst among the trees caused Severine to stop immediately, head up, ears forward; years of living among such aspens had made her adept at pinpointing locations, although she did not know the terrain of this ridge exactly—it was startling to hear an unfamiliar voice at all, let alone to have imagined calling out to the spirits only for such a call to resound so soon—almost like a response! But it was a response to thought, not to action. Curious...

There was the stomping gait of young deer, and the quicker, whisper-like sound of adults leaping through the trees and away—and then, nothing. Not even that voice, as it had howled and then died out as promptly as it had come.
She chose to remain cautious and low, keeping close to the piles of leaves in case she needed to blend in, or duck; and she was mindful of the many gaps in the trees as well, in case she was moving in the direction of danger.
The forest was very still—until her angular form moved surreptitiously close to the stranger, coming upon them with a stalk from behind. Her nostrils flare as she studies the stranger as well as this section of the trees, and concludes that this is someone around her own age—and, equally, on their own.

You are too loud. She cautions with a low voice, as if being quiet now had any value; the deer were gone. She was not cajoling as she might be with Noah, her brother. Ears twist, listening. They have gone.

Speckletooth feels sure that luck must be on his side when someone joins him, though he only realizes she's there when her sudden voice spooks him. Nonetheless, his tail is wagging like a fat puppy's before he hears the bad news.

Darn. He frowns, entire demeanour sinking into a sulk. I was gon' ask for help huntin' them too. But she's right, he heard the hoofs beating away and smelled the strongest of the scent aleady fading into trails. Sorry. Did I ruin yer hunt too?

It's hard not to feel guilty, despite his usual optimism. His stomach was rumbling, and he was sure that her's could be as well. Nobody liked to have a meal spoiled, especially a fresh one.

The stranger at once looked defeated.

Severine was unbothered. She chuffed softly and the corners of her mouth gave a little tug, almost a smile; although it did not meet her eyes, it was a genuine acceptance of the moment. She knew how to handle herself around youth and awkwardness, thanks in no small part to Noah.
No, I was only exploring. Although the thought of chasing something had crossed her mind—Severine did not expect to give chase to any strong-bodied bucks, or the mothers with their young. By this point their fawns were strong enough to keep up with a racing herd, and would only grow stronger.

She looked over the boy—for that's how he seemed—and then regarded the forest around them both. Of the two of them, he seemed more out-of-place. You wanted a hunting partner? I could help.... Only, I don't know this place very well. Do you?
Unlikely as this was, the goal was to assuage the boy's sorrows and get him talking.