Duskfire Glacier I just love a good mystery, don't you?

Veteran huffed in annoyance at his mother's demonstration of affection. This was serious business, not cuddle time!

He could hear the rebuke in his mother's words, and he shifted his gaze to moodily stare out over the moraine. His mother was trying to say that not everything on the outside of their territory was bad, but he didn't see anything wrong with a healthy dose of suspicion. His mom thought that strangers may be able to offer some kind of help to Duskfire Glacier, but they were already fine!  They were already the best pack on earth-- they didn't help from random people. 

Veteran's attention snapped back to the conversation when the stranger offered an apology. It sort of seemed like she was trying to butter Mom up, but at least she was being respectful now. 

"What business do you have with Duskfire Glacier?" Veteran asked directly, practicing the lines he had been taught. There was a formula: a specific set of questions and answers that guardians and strangers exchanged on the border. His mom was getting it all wrong; thank goodness she had Veteran to show her what to do.