Phoenix Maplewood Noahtakmiut

The scout humored him, answering with detail and honesty that many would have avoided sharing. Issorartuyok listened to Meerkat speak about her burnout, the way her body had been weary after her search for her family. Something thrummed within the pit of his belly. The northerner could not comprehend how someone had left the young scout behind. Who would have a child and then leave them without support, without love? Issorartuyok did not need to know Meerkat well to feel a pang in his own heart.

Moonglow sounds like a fine place. I will visit it. The large wolf wagged his tail lightly to the cream-coated girl. Issorartuyok then offered her a teasing smile, an expression that may have appeared too intense for their knowledge of each other.

You do not wish to show me your village, is this right? Issorartuyok had ventured to make an assumption. The words were not offered to her with hurt or even disdain. There was a burning curiosity in the northerner that made him inquire.

Meerkat had been exceptionally helpful to Issorartuyok. She had shared her knowledge of the terrain and the villages in the area, she had indulged his questions and pointed statements. Was it really that difficult to think that she might not have wished to have him in her village? I am still a stranger, Issorartuyok reminded himself internally and waited to see how the talented scout would answer him.