Ouroboros Spine xii. it's spiraling down

It took a while for Nuak to gather his bearings upon the mountain. He had never lived anywhere higher than the Bearclaw Valley and unfortunately, did not know of his bloodline's affinity for the higher reaches.

He kept the gifted pelt with himself at all times — carrying it to new locations where he would hide away, nap, and occasionally stow the red fur while he explored.

One such moment came when he discovered the hot springs. The smell of the steam was thick in the air. It wasn't unbearable to the boy, so he investigated the edge of the water until he heard someone else coming up the path; at this point he turned and moved towards the cover of trees, where he'd stashed the fur.

When he turned again to watch from the shadows, he spotted a wheat-gold figure following the spring's edge. When she began to wade in the shallows he averted his eyes as one might when catching a stranger bathing; but he was still curious, and feeling safely hidden, he stole some glances.