Arrow Lake The fires of Mount Doom.

Set prior to the cougar attack at SC.

A full day had passed between the moment where Xi'nuata was dismissed from the creek borders and this moment, as Njal believed he had a bit of work to do around the home to correct the issues her arrival had brought up. He had talked with Tuwawi briefly, and gone on to patrol the borders - as his duty called him to. But Njal's path diverted when it passed alongside the river, and the connected lake. He caught the dim scent of the mountain woman and began to follow it. His path led him up the mountain alongside the lake, and carefully near the descending sheet of water that connected Upper Arrow Lake with the lower portion he was most familiar with. Hours passed and he worked his way up, pausing to rest or to drink, but generally not relaxing for long.

It was dangerous work when all he wanted to do was apologize. Njal reflected back upon the look that Xi held when she was dismissed. She was hurt, angry. If there was some way to salvage their friendship then Njal would pursue it, even if it meant hiding his intentions from his own wife. Tuwawi would no doubt be infuriated if she were to find out about his little adventure - and while Njal thought he could trust her, talk her out of any burning anger, he wasn't sure if their relationship could take it. Just having Xi'nuata on the borders had made things.. Different in the following hours. He had to get away from that feeling, even if it meant seeking out the cause of all the problems.

Njal stopped to look out across the land below him. He was not affected by vertigo like other wolves, as he felt at home on the mountains. A little less at home now that he was an established member of the creek pack, but, it was ingrained within him. The feeling of mountain trails upon his paws was familiar. It was calming. The man paced along the edge of the high water, dipping his face near the surface in order to lap at the cool fluids; his senses drifted. His thoughts, evaporating. For a time Njal was taken by the beauty of the mountains - but it wouldn't last. At some point she would find him here. Her scent was strong, so she had to be close.1