Wapun Meadow thus always to tyrants

val was the scaremonger; through him came a great crashing noise as he disturbed a roost of ptarmigan. they were quick to take wing, leaving val with nothing but airy feathers in which to console his gurgling stomach.

he was unaware that mere feet away, in the tangle of roots under an old tree, a wolf lingered; not just any wolf, but a wolf his subconscious would have instantly knew.

he paused, scenting the breeze. he was too close to ursus to let his guard down, and while he had yet to place two and two together, he'd noticed scents that suggested that there was another predator in the area.