Stone Circle c

In spite of everything, he was not sent away. It surprised him to hear her disagree with his leaving, but he reminded himself not to read too much into it when an explanation followed: it was more so for her daughter that he was permitted to remain than it was for her sake. No matter, he was glad—glad that he could continue to spend time with his granddaughter, as well as see the home that they’d made for themselves. “Nakummek—thank you,” he said as their eyes met, truly grateful for the experience. And whilst his happiness was subdued, the excitement that radiated off of Arlette almost seemed to come in waves. It brought a smile to his face as he trailed after her, her eagerness contagious.

As the child spoke, he listened attentively; every word that left her mouth came right to his awaiting ears. And as she explained the rocks, what they stood for, and how they were discovered, he found his gaze travelling over every bit that he could see—for a moment, after he learned that it was Valette who had discovered the territory, he cast a smile in her direction. He was proud of her, even if he had no right to be. But no sooner did he look her way that his eyes were being pulled back towards the young albino, who made her way up the hill with ease. As Kove followed after her, he could not hide how age had slowed his body, nor how he stumbled—briefly—whilst pulling himself up the hill; it was not a mountain by any means, and yet, he struggled. It was not something he lingered on, however. Rather, he tried to move past it as quickly as he could once he was near his granddaughter again, and now able to examine the collection of rocks and stones. “Hopefully everyone that has had a stone placed here in their honour return to you someday,” he responded. It was a custom that he could appreciate, as well as admire—though he admired her more, simply for her ability to understand and act on their tradition. That someone so young could have such a steady understanding of the world… well, it wasn’t something that he was terribly used to.

When she ran ahead, he watched, but it wasn’t long before her voice rang through his ears again. “You must be the fastest wolf here!” he exclaimed as he paused. “I just can’t keep up with you, you’re too fast.” He began moving again shortly thereafter, picking his pace up to a light jog so that he wouldn’t leave her waiting for too much longer. “I’m sure you’re the greatest hunter here,” he said as he reached her. “I can’t imagine anyone runs as fast as you can.” Meanwhile, his own body begged him to relax; he’d been travelling for quite some time prior to meeting her, with only the short rest at the borders to help regain his strength. Kove, however, was not willing to disappoint her—or Valette, for that matter—and so he remained upright and moving.