Swiftcurrent Creek but dreams come slow

@Njal

The pale female trotted along the creek's bank, one ear tilted forward and the other straining back. She held her neck level with her spine, and her tail waved at ease against her hind end. In all ways, she was the picture of tranquility, a wolf whose life was becoming clearer by the day. The pack had been feeding well; she had even gained a pound or two, her sides feeling rounder than they had in many, many months. Perhaps moreso than ever, she thought. She was sure it was adulthood catching up to Jinx, making exercise all the more important, that allowed the food she ate to pad her body. In her youth she had been almost skeletal, healthy but rail-thin... Now, she was rounding out a little, and chocked it up to a healthy appetite and plenty of sparring.

Jinx put her lope around the eastern side of the creek on pause when she caught sight of a wolverine lingering at the edge of a stand of trees. She had just been following the waters back to the territory's perimeter, hoping to complete one circuit before lunch... But the wolverine drew her eye. It was no ordinary wolverine; its eyes were pale blue and luminescent, and Jinx recognized it in an instant.

Her spirit guide had not come to her in some time. Before the wolverine spirit acknowledged her, Jinx's totem had been a porpoise, compassionate and gentle. Hers was a wilder heart now, as the wolverine reminded her. It watched her, making no move from its position along the trees... But its presence goaded her enough. It approved of her activities of late; she was returning to Sos and Atka, and returning to her warrior roots. Its silent eyes demanded more of her...

Without any further ado, Jinx put aside her patrol and lifted her head to howl into the creek's crisp morning air. It was a summons for any who would attend her in a sparring session, to train and warm their bodies for the days ahead when they might need to use them.