Swiftcurrent Creek winter solstice

The flicker of amusement he held before sparked to a simmering grin—the ebony wolf regarding his companion with arched brows at what he assumed was as close to some expletives as maybe the youthful man gave.

Hopefully he and Arric didn’t break him too badly.

“I was born here,” he offered in compliance to the man’s thirst for knowledge. Lestan seemed keen on it—and with words of promise to help keep the land as theirs, Akavir was willing to offer what he could. What might have been a rocky start could hopefully ground itself to something more akin to trust.

“My father and mother hold land a few days from here—outside of Teekon, now. I’m hoping to rebuild what once was here.” He gave small pause, eyes skimming around. "Do I love it? Yes. But it's not worth lives to keep it."