Emberflame Ridge secret song

Moon Runner roved north. Other packs has settled in this mountain range, and so she tread carefully between their territories.

The temperature continued to drop but a rare, sunny day warmed the traveler’s back. The ridge provided a good lookout onto the taiga beyond, but she would not linger here long – not lest she be caught in a squall.

This realm was filled with signs of life, which was good for Marius. He had spent too long roaming the wilderness, the wasteland, and the barren spaces as he sought something warm and inviting for himself; sure, there had been a few strays who had kept his attention for a few nights every so often, but he wanted something more tangible than that - and more suitable to his bloodline, above the mutt-of-the-week.

Climbing from the taiga towards the mountains, up and across an angular route that would have placed him squarely upon the ridge, Marius found himself surrounded by the red-toned trees. He did not yet know that someone lingered nearby; the wind was not in his favor just yet.

She would have seen him coming, too.

Moon Runner’s nose twitched as she smelled the crisp winter air.

Wet mulch. Dense pine. Rabbit hair.

…the scent of another.

How wonderful it is to see the world through the senses of a wolf, the spirit mused. How rich and colorful it is!

Moon Runner stretched, sinew warmed by the sun. Downward facing dog, first, into a long cobra.

Then, she slipped though the trees, between the red boles.

Her head poked out, eyes curious and bright.

Who else voyaged here?

If he had been more invested in the lessons of his father, Calixtus would have had a conqueror son, not some homeless romantic. Marius had thrived upon a hedonistic lifestyle for most of his adulthood and at this point the concept of settling down was still foreign — however — this lush red landscape thrilled him with its beauty.

Then he saw the wide, fat face of a woman sneaking closer, and his blood ignited with familiar attraction. She came striding confidently from among the trees and frosted bushes, as much out-of-place for her coloration against the woodland as he was, but more suited for her brawny shape, her ragged white furs sitting like a mantle across her shoulders; both beautiful (chiefly for her sex) and terrible (because she was still a barbarian to Marius).

He approached with the cool airs of someone unbound, curious of the land and intrigued by the company. This one did not appear reluctant to see him, but Marius felt the need to get closer and do a proper inspection of scents before he made his ruling — maybe another beastly man had claimed this one as a wife already!