Blacktail Deer Plateau Don't be a fool for the city lights

for timeline sake I'm gonna say this happens after he and Lasher get back :) I can't resist. I missed you and osprey lots!!! Glad you were able to return! <3

He and Lasher had returned only a short time ago from their trip, but so far it appeared nothing had gone amiss during their exploration. He had yet to check in with anyone, but this patrol was showing unimpeded borders, as surely scents would have lingered had anything of note occurred.

He had taken a liked to some of the lands they had crossed. The forests, even with some felled trees and lingering scars from the storms, were stately and grand. They would support them should they make good on their plans, and he knew Lasher and he were of a like mind. Both wanted to start over, find a place without the memories that clung to this plateau like shades. It was time.

When he spotted one such shade, he did not recognize her. Distance played into this, but her demeanor and physical appearance also strove to hide her. He had long given up hope that she still lived, assuming she had perished in the fire, knowing that was the only explanation for her long absence. So he saw only a stranger, loitering far too near to his borders for comfort.

He growled threateningly and took a step forward. She looked weak and sick, but he wasn't about to take pity. Rain's intrusion in a similar state had extinguished much of his patience for such matters. She would need to move on.