Fox's Glade lush life

good to thread with you again!

he had not escaped unscathed from the brazen wolves upon silvertip, but the cat had departed with his life. from the foul clutch of rock he had traveled a great distance; his nape prickled with healing wounds, which irritated him and made his step loathsome. but desire to live had carried him across the land into a valley that flourished with golden light each early morn.

the massive feline passed through a field of dormant wildflowers -- he sniffed at their frosted heads idly before pressing on. hunger bit its nails within his belly and shardul added the sensation to the growing and irksome sting upon his neck. he would have to wash the dried blood from his skin soon, a task he did not relish.

setting aside his slow ravening for now, the panther searched a glade -- which stank of fox-musk -- for the thin ribbon of visible water which he had scented upon entry. a salmon tongue flicked to wet his nose and shardul stepped onto the bank, lowering muzzle to the clear surface. he had not noticed the lamed pup not ten feet to his right, for the waters beckoned his great frame into its frigid embrace, and shardul gave a small growl of pleasure as the caked crimson and dirt began to lift from his lacerations.