Emberwood The enemy never sleeps.

He gazed into the wood for a time, scanning between trees for any sign of life. Artyom's tongue snaked between his lips to lick his dark nose thoughtfully before, after a moment longer, he turned away with the intention to venture further along the invisible border line.

From the corner of an earthen eye, he thought he saw movement. Dipping his tail, immediately submissive, he paused to look back and caught sight of a frosty plume of breath - and cool blue eyes staring out from amid a snowy backdrop.

The ranger crouched lower, unsure why the stranger chose not to intercept him. She simply continued to watch his movement and, not knowing if he should call out to her or simply be on his way, he chose to wait just a bit longer to see if she would step forth.

If she chose not to, he would not make attempt to draw her out - Artyom would simply move off.