Porcupine Ridge i've given up

Dawn broke slowly, with pastel colors creeping into the cloud-sprinkled skies. She had traveled through the night, as she preferred to do when she was able, heading back down from the northern flatlands edging the mountain. She'd just been scouting around -- nothing serious, or with exact purpose. Checking on prey, plants, the landscapes itself, so on. Roaming because she felt like she needed to, and because she could.

By now, she'd steadily worked back into the range and was nearing her home with every stride. But, progress wasn't hastily made; she'd get back whenever it suited her. Trekking the ridges paired with little rest had worn her down, so she was moving more slowly now to let herself regroup. She decided to take the easiest path back with this in mind.

It had been a lonely trek so far, so she had not been anticipating the scent of another. At first the smell on the breeze had her wrinkling her nose. But there was a subtle underline of familiarity that sparked her curiosity. She strode onward a little faster then, bringing herself into sight of Charon. Closer and closer still, eventually she could make out his details -- and they were not for the better.

"A long way from the coast to be looking so poorly," she said, lifting her voice only as much as necessary, since she did not instantly move straight into his immediate vicinity. A wounded wolf could be an unpredictable one if they still had the strength.