Hushed Willows Ironborn.

He was growing more restless. Since his uncomfortable encounter with the tiger and his shieldmaiden in the hinterlands, followed by the appearance of new neighbours who'd set up camp right next door, Sundance had felt increasingly on edge. He was worried, more so now that such a small number remained to call the willows their home.

They were going to fail. There was no realistic way of holding onto their claim with so few comrades. For the second time in his life, Hushed Willows would be lost to him.

When Sundance happened across the steel-furred watcher on the outskirts of his home, dread crept into his being. He paused among the weeping branches of his beloved willows and lifted his pale chin, powder blue eyes seeking the rugged features of a wolf he didn't know. A platinum ear twitched, cautious but curious.