Anodyne Sea

Up in the snow, it felt like winter had once more returned to the wilds. It glistened in the diffused light of the overcast, which had begun to grow dark as the day wore on. It was cold, though he attributed that to the sting of the ice on his paws, and the winds that blew in from the mountains above. And, finally, he felt worn down. At long last exhaustion was beginning to pull at his limbs, begging him to seek the comfort of the snow. But he could not give in. Already he had discovered one buried wolf - it was Larch, and he had helped her emerge from the snow before continuing his relentless search for his Lham. Without pause he had scoured the base of the avalanche, hoping that it had somehow picked up her fragile body and taken it along with the rest of the debris so that he would find her there, waiting for him.

And now he climbed up and up the mountain side, where the debris had slumped against the cliffs. He would call for her, but receive no answer. And, occasionally, he would hear the voice of another calling behind him. She had not progressed as far up the avalanche as he, and at first he ignored her, far too intent on the task at hand. But weariness was slowing him down and, eventually, the idea of her company became appealing. It just made him feel guiltier. He couldn't stop looking for Lham. Who knew how long it would take - and who knew how much life she would have left in her? How long would she wait for him?

The panic subsided, as did the anger. All that remained of him was desperation, but even that fell away as he realized how tired he was. But Raheerah was not one to give in to mortal aches. He knew he would push on until he found her, or until he himself fell victim to the snows. The dragon had crested a small mound of snow, lifelessly pawing at it under suspect it may be his Goddess, when the voice rang out again. She was calling for him - she was still looking for him. An agitated growl exited his lips. Frustration towards himself, towards his own failure. He let loose a few haggard bellows, calling for Xi'nuata as the beast sunk to his haunches, defeated.