Morningside Cuesta a swan, two wolves, and a runaway meadow

For @Goliath!

Oopsie daisy, Ishi exclaimed lightly as he very nearly plummeted to his death. The youngster had been pretty much prancing through the meadow, minding his own business, when suddenly the meadow had decided to drop. As he was aiming to become a Scout, Ishi made a mental note to be more sharp-eyed about geographic perils like this one. But he also made a mental note of the peril itself, charting the land in his head, though quite aware that it was a bit too close to Lost Creek Hollow to be of use to the wolves who lived there. They probably already knew about this place.

Ishi didn't, though, and after moving past the sharp drop had a lot of fun exploring the snow-touched grassland, his little white ethereal figure moving through the dusk... until suddenly he stopped. What are you doing so far from a lake, hm? He asked the enormous male swan. It was on the edge of a river, alone but absolutely enormous. Ishi had never seen a swan before, but supposed it was friendly. If Ishi hadn't been such a small wolf, he would have counted the bird as food.

But as he moved to continue his travels, the swan blocked his path and hissed. What, why? Startled, Ishi halted wide-eyed. 'Scuse me, he murmured, and tried to pass again — but the swan lashed out this time with its sharp beak, missing the boy by a hair's breadth. He recoiled his front legs, almost standing on his hindquarters, bemused and bewildered by this unexpected danger. What was he supposed to do now? He wanted to venture onwards, but this big bird was trying to get him to flee back to Lost Creek Hollow!

Over my dead body! said the youth bravely.