Big Salmon Lake warum nicht

For @Tatsuya ! :D

The journey was a quiet one, save for the occasional grunt or swear that slipped from Atreyu's mouth when he stumbled. Despite wanting to prove to the man he could walk unassisted, he was grateful he was there acting as a brace. The painful pressure in his right shoulder that he didn't know he had grown accustomed to was finally relieved. It had taken a while to find a rhythm, though, and Atreyu constantly fell slightly out of step with Tatsuya's much longer stride. He was partially distracted, too, gaze sweeping the changing landscape as they travelled, on the lookout for any other wolves that may happen upon them.

Eventually, they made it to the lake the helpful stranger had mentioned. Well, it certainly was big. The scent of salmon and other prey was thick here, and the boy hurriedly peeled himself away from Tatsuya's shoulder and began to head straight for the banks. It was an awkward sort of lope, ungainly and coltish, but he didn't care. The sparkling lake beckoned him, and he thrust his muzzle into the shallow surface as soon as he was able, relishing in the cool, delicious waters. Sweet heavens, how long had it been?