Mudminnow River they slithered from eden

he had renewed the markings around the bypass, understanding that a sole creature could not lay a claim to the rich expanse of land. and yet he would attempt all the same, beginning to lay a border of animal bones and scat along the outermost reaches of the territory. thus far, no wolf had challenged him.
but there were wolves, and close, too close for the musiker's comfort. he set off to hunt for the day, felling a grouse in a stand of birch and carrying it toward the thin ribbon of water in the distance. mahler was not to be alone, however; a small jet figure partook of the stream nearby. ignoring the other for the present, the man let the fowl slip to the ground and stepped into the shallows, plunging his wide muzzle down to break the clear surface as he drew a long draught.