Noctisardor Bypass yonhaka

About a week prior, Druid had come across a rotted log a short distance from the rendezvous site. It offered somewhere cool and damp to rest and soon became her preferred sleeping spot, especially now that she tended to keep different hours from the others. Although it could prove lonesome sleeping by herself, Druid appreciated the room to stretch her legs and lack of overbearing body heat.

She usually slept through the afternoon, though presently something caused her to stir and wake. Blinking, she peeked outside the log and angled her snout downward toward a rustling noise in the soil just underneath it. She had found what she took to be bird droppings there the other day, half a dozen white pellets with yellowed ends. They were gone now, replaced by what appeared to be a cluster of wriggling worms.

Druid stiffened, remembering the lesson the turtle had taught her. Yet she remained riveted, watching as the black worms squirmed free, one by one. As they broke apart into individuals, she noticed the pale rings around their necks, not unlike the one she wore. The pup cocked her head, utterly fascinated, resisting any predatory impulses their movements awoke in her as she forced herself to merely observe.

Soon, all but one of the newly hatched Diadophis punctatus disappeared into the leaf litter. This one slithered along the underside of the log, then to Druid’s surprise, it raised its body like the inchworm of yore and began climbing inside, perhaps drawn to her warmth. The wolf pup went rigid again, staying very still as the tiny creature wiggled its way over her right forepaw and then came to rest, appearing to stare up at her.

Druid returned the stare, then slowly moved her paw to see what the tiny ringneck snake would do. It swiftly coiled around her wrist. She could feel the minute strength of its grip as it fit perfectly around the fine bones there. Gingerly, she raised the foot and the tiny serpent remained, wrapped neatly around her foot like some strange bracelet.

Of course, as soon as Druid realized the snake wasn’t going anywhere, she wanted to show somebody. Moving quite carefully to avoid dislodging her new friend, the young she-wolf exited the log and began hop-stepping toward the rendezvous site. On her way there, she discovered Skaigona sprawled on her back, gazing at the treetops.

Skai! Druid said sotto voce. Look. She gingerly thrust out a forepaw to show her sister the small snake still contently encircling her ankle.