Morningside Cuesta all alone in a sea of stars.

This is it, he thought to himself, standing on his side of the Mudminnow river and gazing in at the land he was about to claim. One small step for Grayday, one giant leap for the Morningsiders.

Without much more thought, the male lifted his leg and peed. It would take a long time before the borders were completely and clearly marked, but this was the beginning. There would be many patrols to come, many long nights of walking them with his son and daughter. Many long months of keeping them until it was time to move again.

Slowly, a smile grew on Grayday's face. He trotted several hundred yards and repeated the action, then doubled back and rubbed himself on a patch of grass halfway in-between. Tufts of his winter pelt came out in the grass, but he paid it no mind. He was glad to finally be shedding a bit, and the fur would help keep his scent fresher for longer.

The wolf lumbered on, rubbing and pissing and scratching wherever he felt it was needed, until he finally came upon the visitor.

"Nim!" he called, tail wagging as he approached. "You look good - how are you feeling?"