Iktome Plains a murder of ravens in fugue

for @Pearl. being super vague about the outcome of his talk with behati and aria

it had been revealed unto him that pearl, faithful and dedicated despite having been passed over, had attempted to mediate the fighting between behati and aria. for this he was grateful, and for one moment lasher wondered if he had elevated the right wolf to beta. but it was aria who had interacted with the pack, filled the caches, brought back information. pearl contributed, but she had lacked the ambition of her pale counterpart. lasher sought to reward those on basis of activity, not simply longevity.

there was also some little part of his soul that chided him, saying that osprey should have been the first chosen; taltos quelled it. osprey was well-beloved, but also did not share in aria's burning desires for the leadership -- she had been withdrawn, always a quiet woman, and lasher did not believe she wished to rule.

emerging from the den before blue willow and his daughters had awoken, lasher stretched luxuriously and then trotted for the borders. he would find breakfast there; he summoned pearl with a low, short howl, before he slid into a lope and closed the short distance between donnelaith and the plains.

there he mounted the side path and stood gazing upon the sea, the cry of gulls filling the air and the scent of fresh brine awakening him as the playful ocean winds caught at his ears and pelt.