Whitewater Gorge The Old Tale-Teller

Don't cry. Even whilst dying, the salt-and-pepper wolf cared more about her crying. What a beautiful soul that roamed this world, deserving better than he ever receieved. She felt guilty, why didn't she just follow him? Knowing how poor his condition, why did she leave him to roam in solitude? For a brief moment, she shifted her gaze from off the sickly wolf, staring int the direction he gestured towards with his last movement. She gave a weak smile as he muttered a phrase very meaningful to her, and hopefully to him. To save the wolf's breath, knowing the struggle it meant to speak every word, she finished his sentence. "Letting the down's falter the up's." Mara lowered her nose and nuzzled the old wolf, every bone in her body shaking. 

"Thank you." She whispered, forcing herself to bite down on her tongue so to not burst out into wails. All the past aches were distant in this moment, she was going to be left alone again. But, thank whatever higher power lies above, she had him to enlighten her life once again; no matter how short the time he stayed.