Sleepy Fox Hollow A prayer to the stars

The stranger did not run, nor did Vlad detect any hint of aggression in his response. The expression on Singarti's face when he turned gave the Saltwinter scout further cause to believe that he had found what he was looking for. He grinned back from his spot among the trees - an ugly mess of gum and yellow teeth. "You ees vant peck?" he ventured pleasantly, matching the manner and volume of his voice to the stranger's. Already, Vlad's brain was working hard at selecting a suitable nickname to the well-mannered loner in his sights. He had an autumnal look about him that was discernable even in darkness, and smelled like a wolf fresh out of childhood.