Sawtooth Spire do not cry, do not weep

Gabe stood on the opposite side of the herd, watching them from behind a rocky outcropping. The ravine he'd found was full of life, it was lush and beautiful. This mountainous area itself was far more his style than the islands where he had previously inhabited. He thought about the Nereides, Kalika, for a sliver of a second before pushing them from his mind. He wouldn't think about things like that anymore, his life was moving on without them. Without anyone really. He'd been on his own for a while now, traveling across entire mountains and plains, without any other interaction. And the strange thing, considering his personality; he wasn't in the least bit lonely.

Sure he'd wished for the warmth of another body as night, and the help with hunting. But he was an able male, he had managed. He no longer felt able to trust others, not after so many had betrayed his innocent, naive heart. For the second time in his young life he had no friends, no family, nobody. The only difference was that this time he was ok with that.

He watched the herd intently, focusing in on a smaller buck, moving slower than the others. He had a limp, and probably wouldn't make it much farther with this herd anyway. It would be kinder to take him out now. Just as Gabe was about to leave his hiding spot and chase the buck down, the entire herd scattered. Some races along the rocky ledges, some in his direction. He briefly chased one as it passed, desperate for a meal, though he gave up seeing as it was pointless.

Wildly he looked around, wondering what had spooked them. That's when he noticed a woman, gray and earthy toned, off in the distance. The scent of the herd must've blocked her scent from him, but now he could smell her completely. He stood back, wondering if she'd notice him (who was he kidding he is a big white puff ball in the middle of spring), and if so would she try to interact.