Northstar Vale Blue and Yellow

He nodded. It would be a fool's gesture, to walk into a guarded packland and disturb those there with scorn, to bait them — though he admired Jinx for her daring in doing so. Even in his youth, the shaman did no such things, except on rare headhunting occasions. A glow of delight formed within him; perhaps the sylph would bring back such practices when she had founded their Mountain.

Returning to the present, Lecter bristled somewhat; he knew of whom the woman spoke, and was not inclined to anticipate their meeting, but he would trust her word. It was a blind trust, built solely upon his assessment of her as a trustworthy individual, but it was all the madman had now.

Gathering himself to his full height, Lecter allowed the raising of the hackles on shoulders and spine to communicate for him, even as the silent murmur of his voice came: take me to them, Xi'nuata.

Lecter did not consider what would occur if the ebon dog broke the word of this golden woman and attacked, but he prayed that Sos would protect him all the same, as he padded alongside the Vale wolf into the proverbial throat of the dragon.