Northstar Vale Able

The vale was becoming more like home every day. Together with the others, Tryphon knew that eventually he would become so devoted to this place and to their leaders that he would do anything for them; he was already attached to the concept of caring for Saena, of following her and keeping her safe, as it both entertained his wanderlust and granted him a purpose. Today was only marginally different from the last — he wasn't alone for a change. When he chose to go off and explore the outskirts of the pack's current space, he made sure to alert a couple of others to his plan, although all he did was bark or look to them before departing.

When a scent hit his nose, Tryphon was forced to pause. He didn't know if intercepting the stranger would be a viable option by his lonesome, but at least he could call for help if he needed it. After a few minutes of indecision, Tryphon eventually pulled away from the scent and doubled back — yipping softly when he spotted some familiar faces — and then with backup in tow, he drew their path back to where he'd scented the stranger.

It did not take long to reach her; yet when he did, Tryphon did not know who he was looking at. The boy stutter-stepped, fell back behind his companions, and drifted behind them while he was overwhelmed by a strange mixture of apprehension and familiarity, of which only the first was something he was accustomed to feeling around new faces.