Blacktail Deer Plateau i was lightning, before the thunder

the boy was young, but he wasn't that young. he was a not insignificant weight on their shoulders as they carried him down the ridge, moving carefully so as not to aggravate his injuries further. when he finally caught sight of the plateau, aditya's chest filled with relief, and his legs wobbled slightly at the thought of the end of this journey.

they finally made it down and set the child on the ground, and dawn called for her father. he smiled as she drew close to him, giving her a small touch of his nose to her neck before looking forward again, waiting for grayday.

he wondered how much dawn would choose to tell her father about the murderous wolves to the south. they had not discussed it since their talk by the lake, but the subject still hung ominously over them, waiting to be resolved. he had offered to scout for information on them--and would gladly hold that up--but they must wait for grayday's thoughts on the matter.

"it's good to be home," he said to the women, his grin growing larger. it was the first time he had ever uttered that phrase in his life.