Whitefish River Lay your eyes, look up upon me for the better

Keeping herself busy, she found, was the best method in which to channel her nervous energy. Be it trailing after the scents of her largely mysterious pack mates, or marking the borders or setting sites for future caches, Chai was rarely wasting her time as of late. Today, when the familiar voice of her friend Evergreen rang out, she had been following a section of river that branched off from the main artery. She knew of the Count's love for fishing, and thought it prudent to try and analyze the potential routes of his favorite prey. Come harder times, such knowledge would be vital. At least, that's what she reasoned.

The stoic, dispassionate voice of her father infiltrated her thoughts. "Don't bother, Chai. No one will consider what you found to be of any use. It is just another dead end." Like you, he would often remind himself. Her legs stiffened, glacial eyes hardening as a miniature inner battle boiled within her. No...father was not in her life anymore. Nor her mother or her brothers and sisters. Kaistleoki symbolized new beginnings and that is exactly why she was here. Turning, she sprinted, towards Evergreen's call and away from her fathers cursed thoughts.

When she arrived, the sight beholden to her made her breath catch. The grand tree decorated with such care in feathers and stones set in a circled frame work. She stepped lightly, delicately...as if with utmost respect so as to not disturb a single stone or feather by her feet. There was some significance to this she could not yet pinpoint. Her eyes flew up to Evergreen, sitting before the tree...and next to him, a new face. A dusky gray woman she hadn't seen before. Also beaten her to the scene were three other females, none whom she knew. Nonetheless, Chai remained painfully quiet, but dipped her head respectfully. She exuded no fear among these strangers...just uncertainty. Like a young child taking their very first swimming lesson. Slinking to the spot of her choice, she sat, head dipped shyly between her shoulders.