Duck Lake Pop goes the weasel

Editor's note: this takes place before the Raleska thread, on the 14th.

He thought it wise to stretch his legs as much as he could before the birth of his children. It would be some weeks yet, but Kaertok knew that he would be bound to the pack for at least a few moons after they arrived. They would need more attention than usual, and if he wished to be involved in their life, to teach them the Tartok ways, he would have to stay close until they were able to travel with him. And oh yes, he certainly planned to make at least one of them a scout like himself.

Kaertok had passed through the shady grove and continued southwest toward the lake. He wanted to avoid the march, and then he thought he might make a trip to the coast before returning home to the bypass. He had no intention of being gone long; he never did. But exploring and scouting and searching for recruits was his duty, and he meant to live up to Arbiter's expectations now that she had put him in second command.

On the hunt for recruits more than food, Kaertok had picked up the trail of a male not too long ago, and he had finally found the rascal. He was sniffing at the ground, muttering something to himself when Kaertok strode up to him, keeping a few feet of distance out of courtesy. Something interesting? he asked, orange eyes inquisitive and bright.