Redsand Canyon the ritual pyre's sending smoke to the sky

noon made shade difficult to come by at the best of times, but renard was hopeful for an overhang that would offer them a little cover from the sun. there was nothing else to find here. derg following along behind them, they covered the remaining distance to the crimson outcrop, and even before renard found the fissure in the stone wide enough to permit a wolf entry they could smell the fresh water.

the oasis glittered in the light. derg walked in, chomping at the water as he went, and after watching him a moment renard drank their fill and then slid in to follow, sinking their entire body beneath the surface until only their head remained visible. the palm trees clustered around the edge of the oasis rustled gently in the wind.

“not all bad, then.” renard huffed a laugh. they’d have to keep an eye on this place; it would make good cover for anyone passing through. though renard had to believe on the outside it was inhospitable enough to be worth a pass. they were here for one reason only.

after a few minutes had passed, peering over the water, renard spoke. “donovan has been getting around. he had no followers when i first met him.” they tilted their head. “why did you join?”