Redsand Canyon that was still learning the alphabet

the rain had passed, for now, but the banks of clouds still hovered on the horizon, threatening a storm. they’d have to wait for cover again. since they had found finley on the borders, the canyon had dried, baked under the sunlight like the rain had never come – all that was left was the swaths of shadow cast by the canyon walls and the bright greens and yellows and reds of fresh flowers.

but as long as there was no rain, the scent trails were fresh. the claim on the border was as strong as ever; within the walls of the canyon, there was nothing out of the ordinary. saints and prey and sand, and as they loped through the dry scrub, keeping one eye on the horizon and one eye on the redrock cliffs, something else crept into their nose.

praimfaya.

renard stopped. their nostrils flared as they swung their head, sharp gaze drawing up and over the sand. but there was nothing else here – they didn’t know the scents of seelie court or of yuèlóng, other than to know that here they would certainly be alien, and besides praimfaya and the fading edge of sagtannet, not nearly strong enough to herald a pack…nothing.

and there she was; a grey smudge of a figure seated on the redrock. they could not pick out anything else around her, besides the familiar backdrop of the canyon; muzzle leveled and ears forward, they moved quietly in her direction, habit even though there was little to offer them cover from her gaze.

for a single wolf? they wouldn’t have to call the rest of the saints.

“didn’t expect you to show here so quickly.” renard regarded her with narrowed eyes, just the barest edge of their usual smile present on their lips.

they’d severely overestimated her if, after all that on the mountain, she’d chosen to show up alone.