Herbalists' Cache From chance to providence

Since Diane knew a river lie to the west of Porcupine Ridge, a gorge snaked northeast of them towards the ocean, and a vale with more mountains beyond marked the south, she decided to find out what loomed on the other side of the Thunder Dome. For much of the day, she traveled quickly (read: nervously) through the previously claimed area, unsure of why her nerves jittered as she went. Once she had reached the opposing base of the inactive volcano, she began to feel herself relax, causing her to look over her shoulder and marvel at the peak. It didn't look harmful— and nothing had happened during her traipse across it. She had barely seen any prey, let alone any other wolves. She shook herself free of the nervous thoughts, and decided to keep exploring, using what little daylight was left to journey a little further.

She took drink from what reflectionless puddles she found, and felt satisfied that she was not nearing the ocean or any bodies of water that she could smell. Night was descending upon her as she began to smell the wetlands she was approaching, and Diane decided to return home. She didn't realize at first that she had come so far— and seeing how far away the Thunder Dome was disheartened her. She decided to rest in the quiet winterwood for the night, burrowing a small hole for herself among the roots of a squat pine. Only realizing how exhausted she was at that moment, Diane fell asleep with relative ease...

The first tendrils of dawnlight touched her face, rousing the curled-up wolf from a deep, but uncomfortable sleep. She didn't move at first, knowing at as soon as her muscles started churning and the blood got flowing, she would realize just how uncomfortably she had slept that night.