Blacktail Deer Plateau he ain't heavy

Grayday seemed to guess at Shale's thoughts. After all, he'd thought the same thing when Sunspot had shared the news with him. "There were children enough around them that they wouldn't have missed us too badly," he promised. "Children and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, if Spot's to be believed." And they were old. He didn't have to say that for Shale to know. They were old, and it was kinder this way.

"I still dream about Da sometimes," he shared, despite having kept this fact to himself for some time. With Shale, he felt that instant connection that he'd left behind. Sunspot had be different, colder. But Shale was still his brother. "Will you be staying with us?" he asked hopefully. "Spot left a few months ago. She said she'd be checking in. I'd hate to lose both of you after finding you again."

He'd have to see about Murdock. Grayday still had a funny feeling about the older male, despite Valette's assurances that he was quite cheerful these days, and even being friends with pups again.