Stone Circle ; all have been led astray

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Goose couldn't conceal the quiver that betrayed her already small voice as she called after her friend. The idea that she had even attempted to stop Oath in the first place was a foolish one, but it was a ritual that had firmly stuck after going through it together so many times over the years. If she didn't say no or try to talk the smaller female (albeit always unsuccesfully) out of whatever master plan she had come up with that day, would she have been doing her best? Regardless, it was always a guarantee that Goose could eventually be found trotting meekly behind her friend, always at a distance, but never out of sight. If there was one thing more terrifying than whatever they would get up to on their adventures, it was the thought of losing Oath altogether. And so they would go, the lion-heart and the rabbit-heart, off to face the world.

This time was different though. It was for real. Despite their usual banter and back and forth tug-of-war, there was a palpable air of desperation that clung to every word that was spoken. They had to find a new pack before winter took a turn for the worst or they wouldn't make it. Goose felt a twinge of guilt pulling at her stomach as these thoughts rolled over in her head, knowing full well that she was the weakest link between the two. Sure, she could mix some herbs to soothe sore bellies, remedy Oath's cuts and bruises — but that was in best case scenarios. Now, they were in a foreign territory, with unknown enemies at every corner, and new, bigger prey that were smarter than them. So maybe that was why, this time, she let Oath go a little further. Whined a little less. Flashed a whisper of a smile when the girl looked back. Let the mahogany femme wonder, unapologetically herself, into new meadows laced with unfamiliar scents as she trailed quietly behind.

They continued inland through the snowy meadow for what felt like eternity, until the looming silhouettes of tall stone pillars — that had once been mere specks in the distance — were just inches away from Oath's button nose. In her usual bold fashion, Goose observed in awe as the smaller female stalked into the middle and plopped her hind down casually within the circle. She never ceased to be amazed by her friend's sheer confidence in everything she did, even after all these years together, and the memory evoked a small smile from Goose as her chest flooding with the familiar warmth Oath often pulled out from within her. It was enough to take her mind off of their current predicament, even for just a brief moment.

At Oath's unspoken command, Goose slinked herself quietly behind one of the pillars and settled herself down towards the plush snow, pads pushing forward with a quiet whine until her stomach connected with the frigid coldness. If there was one advantage to the snow, it was that Goose had the advantage of blending in. Sort of. It was always embarrassing to hide instead of confront her problems like Oath so effortlessly did, but this technique usually worked to their advantage, funnily enough. It was easier to meet one stranger than two, right? Or at least she would continue to tell herself that, as she flattened her wind-stricken ears against her skull and lowered her maw to the ground at the sound of Oath's calls. Fear bubbled up at the back of her throat as each howl waned out, echoing ominously off of trees in the far distance, but Goose pushed the unwanted feeling down. This was not the time for her cowardliness. If she couldn't do it for herself, then she had to do it for Oath.

Now, started the painstaking waiting game.

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