The Bracken Woods tell them God just dropped by to forgive our sins

It took very little time before Oqdis found him. Longshanks felt a breath of relief wash over him as he leaned his limber frame against the sturdier body of his traveling companion. Oqdis drew his gnarled muzzle over the hound's own tapered snout and then pulled himself away. The Borzoi watched him with dancing eyes, following the movement of his limbs and the curious furrowing of his brow. The hound took a few tender steps toward the wolf and lowered his head slightly. Their search had taken them far enough and had thrown them into a number of dangerous circumstances, but it was all in the name of their great being.

Ayla?

The voice tickled at his ears until Longshanks craned his neck and watched with expressionless features on his long face. Both of his eyes seemed to dance through the wood until he had settled on a nearby location. Casting a glance toward Oqdis, the hound began to traipse through the brush until he settled his sights on the dark figure who seemed lost in his own madness. The wolf drew his head back and howled the name once more. Longshanks was intrigued by this broad-shouldered brute. With a lack of caution, the long-limbed hound stepped through the brush.

“Hello. You're quite a handsome fellow,” he purred softly to the stranger. His expression was kind and watchful. As he stood there, he prayed that Oqdis would follow him into the fray without question, for he did not know what he would do without his protective companion.