Hushed Willows oh, the earth fueled the flame

Gradually as he ventured onward he settled into the familiarity of border patrolling. It had become a means of passing time when life was easy, though he was hard pressed to say things were easy. They made have been trickling back to normal, sure, but Mordecai did not know how things would pan out in the end. Their difficult summer was just as likely to bounce back as it was to persist into a harsh winter. But as with all things, there were ups and downs, and perhaps time would eventually tell.

A flicker of movement on the edge of his narrow perception stole his attention; his head turned swiftly in time to see her, this other alpha female, and the bob of her head. His steps halted as the path he was on came to intersect with her own, and his gaze was left to wander the uncharted expanse of the south momentarily as she drew near. "Looks like things are getting greener again," he said, an offer of conversation. He barely knew her but for what Harlyn had imparted to him, but he knew there was a matter of thanks to give.