Nova Peak death at the gates again / howling my name

under the dense pewter clouds she climbed towards the peak, following the small spring which trickled from an upper source. she knew from her travels to always stay near the water, as it was an almost certain way to find the prey which would come to quench its thirst. autumn came not only with the relief of cooler temperatures, but also with an urgency. she would need to find a place to settle before the snows came.

the water brought her not to prey, but to another canine. hollis froze, caught off guard by the shadowy man who lapped from the spring. after a pause, she offered him a soft chuff, tail lowered but ears erect.