Redtail Rise sojourner

A rainstorm was coming.

Though it was currently sunny, Moon Runner could smell the changing weather. She found herself sat on a crag of rock that overlooked the vast plains – the eastern glacier stood proud in the distance… the sky becomming gray, there.

A hard rain meant hunting and traveling would be difficult.

Would Wealda find her way back?

New Snow paced the rendezvous. Certain the scents there revealed no breach, she felt a little more at ease. There was worry for Wealda in her heart, but then, the wolf was not only her own but Red Woman’s. Red Woman had come and gone many times. She had always been alright, and so had the Rise.

In the time between, those remaining would assimilate to the structure left behind. New Snow was not Wealda, but would keep the pack united in her absence and maintain the hierarchy. 

She followed now the trail of her daughter, nipping at her youngest brood to move with her. She would teach them to track, and revealed to them broken debris to be mindful of. Tufts of her fur. Where her scent was strongest and where it dwindled. 

It took time to get to her daughter, but after long there she was! New Snow grinned her satisfaction to her cubs before closing the distance between herself and Moon Runner, tail wagging and happy whines coming forth from her throat.

Many approaching paw steps made Moon Runner’s ears turn.

Her family! Mother! Gentle Mother, Loving Mother, Proud Mother…

And all three of her young siblings, soon to be six moons old. Every day they looked less and less like puppies. Pebble, in particular, was turning into a strapping young wolf. Soon he would need a new name, the spirit felt. Maybe a moniker to recognize the dark granite of his fur, or the gleam of his eyes… a proper hunting name.

Moon Runner’s body curled as she greeted her kin with happy sounds. Then, her muzzle pointed to the distant storm, as if to show the youngsters.

Moon Runner’s eyes flicked to Proud Mother, as if the spirit asked am I a good teacher, too?