Blacktail Deer Plateau the holiest of altars

Kaskara didn't seem up to the challenge and attempted to distract the puppy with a question. Osprey wouldn't have it. "But Simon Says!" she protest insistently, her voice rising, a whine resonating in her throat. "Simon Says, Simon Says, Simon Says!"

A noise beyond the she-wolf's shoulder caused Osprey's mouth to shut. Fearing her mother's approach (and rebuke), she sucked in a breath and remained quiet and still. Yet Hawkeye did not appear. She was presumably still retrieving some food, even though Simon hadn't told her to do any such thing.

"Come," young Osprey said suddenly. Without waiting for Kaskara to agree, she spun on her heel and galloped away, back toward the clearing. She arrived within seconds to find her sister still sound asleep, a butterfly perched on her back. Junior stared at this sight for a split second, then whirled to see if Kaskara had followed.