Redsand Canyon we connect, burning bright, holding every breath

mahler too had been hesitant to leave. it was a new dynamic, having an older child there to engage the time-honored task of watching over her young siblings. outwardly he did not share wylla's inner trepidation for danger, perhaps because at his size and sex mahler was rarely bothered by a threat. 
he took phaedra aside all the same. "should something happen, take the children immediately north, toward mereo. ve vill hear your call."
they had set out, and as soon as they were out of his daughter's surely disgusted visage, he goosed wylla with an unexpected nip to her haunch. he was boyish a moment, chuckling and bright-eyed in the face of the gasping and scolding and giggling he hoped to glean from her. 
by the time they came to the borders, he had sobered from his laughter and picked up his bundle of herbs. the dark wolf followed at her side. she had thought to bring poppies and he thought they complimented the dove-grey coat she wore. mahler glanced to her, then a double take as he saw her expectant expression.
without a thought he set down his offerings once more and loosed a long, polite howl into the sand-scented air.