Alpine Lake before we proceed any further, hear me speak

i don't think i've ever been this rusty ;-;

Newly dispersed and painfully dissatisfied with his current lot in life, the Austere wolf had come to this territory during the witching hour and found a small split in the side of the mountain to shelter in. He slept, but not soundly, and every sudden noise throughout the night disturbed him.

As dawnlight began to inch its way into the dank hovel he had chosen for a bed, he gave up on his attempt to recuperate and left the hole in the wall without a thought of returning. He padded -- directionless -- through the woods that hugged the mountain's base, and tried not to think about the absence he felt sorely at his side. Vortigern had never been this alone, not for more than a few hours anyway, and regret gnawed at him constantly for not turning back to the Towers the second his brother had left this mortal coil.

Even now, he felt the emotion bubbling up inside him, so he closed himself off to any thought except for the smell of water, as he made way for a nearing river.