Big Salmon Lake Don't you know life's a feeling

Curiosity had finally drawn Elwood away from Redhawk Caldera. It had been quite some time -- months, even -- since he had ventured from his home and into unclaimed territory. There were many reasons for that: the birth of his son, the apparent enemies of his pack, and the terrible storm. He had always been a homebody, but as he moved through the plains he found that it felt good to stretch his legs.

He observed the remaining damage from the tornado as he traveled, moving at a steady lope that allowed him to venture a fair distance before growing fatigued. His destination was Big Salmon Lake; it was a place that he was familiar with, and he had also heard of its destruction from Wildfire. As he approached, he could smell the dead fish and nearly turned around. But he forged ahead until he could lay eyes on the half-drained tarn.

The silver Beta paused, wrinkling his nose. It appeared that scavengers had picked apart many of the fish carcasses, and those that were left had been baked in the hot summer sun. The lake itself looked pitiful; he would have had to slide down a dry, dusty embankment to even reach the water's edge. He didn't want to linger for long -- the stench was overpowering, and besides, he had already been away from the caldera for half a day -- but he moved in a wide arc around the depleted pond, his gaze sweeping his surroundings thoughtfully.