Alpine Lake amadeus

He couldn’t do it.

Grief was a funeral shroud across the plateau, across all of his family. Two sisters now, he was missing. A brother he had gained, yes, nieces and nephews whose names and faces he didn’t know, but his sisters.

Oh, he wished Galana was among their number still. But the longer he spent looking, the further away her spirit seemed. Kassuq was growing more tired. He was slipping down some infernal slope, tripping and stumbling into a pit so dark he couldn’t ever see the light again.

Part of him wanted to just succumb to it.

So, he wrenched his head away from the thought, and started walking. Until he was here. A lake.

Fantastic, he balefully thought, ignoring his churning stomach.

Fiona continued to meander around the area, keeping Prowler close when others were far away, and sending her out of sight whenever another wolf got too close. She could not risk her familiar being killed, something that would surely strip her of her innate abilities as a witch. Besides, Prowler was an asset in more than just enhancing her abilities. That bandit was good for plenty more, including grabbing things from hard-to-reach places. Just earlier today Fiona had sent her to fetch mistletoe high above in some branches.

But it wasn't Prowler that caught Fiona's attention now. No, it was a young man with a ring of red around his neck which—at first glance—Fiona had thought was some sort of injury. As she drew closer, she realized it was the color of his fur. It was a rather strange marking, and she wondered the meaning behind it. He was young, though not young enough that she could mold him into something of use. Still young enough to heckle, though.

Aren't you a little young to be out here all on your own? she asked, approaching with a calm demeanor.

A wolf, not one he recognized, but the danger present in a stranger was well printed into his mind. He straightened up anyway, doing his best to project at least base politeness.

My family is just over there, on that plateau. He gestured idly over a shoulder.

Have you seen another wolf around my age? Red? He knew the answer, but he asked the question anyway.

The boy insisted that his family was nearby, though Fiona did not entirely believe him. Little boys out all alone were quick to lie if they thought it would keep them from trouble. He immediately went to asking a question, and Fiona gave him a look of contempt. Do you always go around demanding information from strangers? she asked, avoiding an answer all together. Nobody had taught him manners, and she was rather nonplussed by his lack of pleasantries. Maybe she would have been better off keeping her conversations limited to Prowler, who at least wasn't so... demanding of her.

You may call me Fiona. What's your name, young man? she asked. And why are you looking for this red wolf your age? Maybe he could be molded after all, considering his lack of social finesse. If she could teach him a thing or two, he might be of use to her yet. And that would be quite nice indeed.