Northstar Vale take control

There was no body making rough movements to intercept her, no baying of hounds to suggest she had been noticed. For the time being, Jinx Kesuk slid through the Vale's dense woodland, alone and unseen. A grim smirk revealed her satisfaction with this. No number of treaties could have stopped Jinx from pursuing this course, and any relationship any creek wolf held with those of the vale was beneath her notice. She cared not how the monks and clerics might take her intrusion, and so she proceeded, albeit with every caution she could afford. Peaceful though they may have been, they were still wolves, and would spare no effort to kill her if they caught her.

But first, they would have to catch her. If they did not, she would flee back to the sanctuary of her home. As she skirted tall trees and shrubs alike, she chuckled when she thought of what punishment Fox might dole out when she learned of Jinx's intrusion. The woman suspected her Alpha was of the same mind as her regarding neighbours, and deemed punishment unlikely. If a neighbour failed to stop her here, she would conclude the pack's weakness and report it. Their standing as friend or foe mattered not.

Little did Jinx know that already, the ever-vigilant Xi'nuata was hot on her trail. She had spared no thought or time for masking her scent, so it was only a matter of time before a patrolling guard found her scent, but Jinx thought she had time on her side. She located beneath the roots of a tree the scent of a wolf, as well as signs of disturbance. She couldn't smell the meat, but she knew there was something hidden there. Casting a glance around herself to make sure the coast was clear, Jinx set to excavating the small cache, with every single hair on end and every muscle tightened to move her in an instant if things went south.