Moonspear pleasantries

Patrols during the rainfall found him moving with practiced care, pouring a tedious amount of effort into each calculated pawstep- though it was beginning to become habit, and he found himself becoming better able to proceed with his border patrols without simply watching for his footing all the time. In some places- where the mountainside was lush with grasses and wildflowers, he was able to shift along without worry, but he still found himself anxiously crossing the sections of loose shale and slate fearful that any mis-step might send him rolling down the mountainside. 

He heard the guardian before he saw her- the patter of her footfalls a steady thrum, causing him to prick his ears and lift his head to see who it was coursing through their territory. He watched her move with the fluid grace of a panther, and found himself challenged to improve his own pace. So as she sped along, he watched her go but found himself pulled from his steady amble and into a trot, which flowed into a gallop as he sought to catch her pace- and perhaps even join her on her rounds. He called out with a playful bark to goad her on, clearing a few small obstacles that found their way into his path, and with a fiery gaze, he put on another burst of practiced speed- hoping he might catch her...But that she would not make it easy for him.