The Sunspire Spires

For him, there were few choices. His choices were to turn left or right, to keep walking or to sit and rest. Many of Farstep's “decisions” were informed by his instincts, and sometimes the decision was made before the dog was even aware of it. His was the mind of an animal, with few thoughts of its own. For him, traversing the mountain was not a choice, but a necessity. Njal's posturing had sent a clear message to the lone wolf, though at times he recalled (in so much as he could recall things) Fox and silently pined. The male wolf's vigil would not allow him passage, so it no longer mattered, at least for the time being.

At the point where Farstep perceived the least resistance in the terrain, he spotted a female. She was wrapped in variegated shades of grey, but her underside was flawlessly white. In that regard, she was similar to Fox, but lacked the fiery colours. She was similarly small, built petite and therefore appealing to Farstep. The male knew from experience that keeping his options open was wise, but he also knew that too much involvement was detrimental to his quest.

For the moment, he didn't view Nerian as a prospective mate. Fox had a more luscious pelt and carried about her the scent of many, plus an aura of power that he greatly respected. Nerian, on the other hand, was didn't carry herself in a manner befitting an Alpha. Farstep knew his children would be stronger if borne by Fox than Nerian. Nevertheless, the lone male made a beeline for the Horizon Ridge bitch, seeking company if nothing else.