Greatwater Lake eb k'ak'is

her children were growing in to themselves. by now their eyes were open and they'd found their footing; they were more adventurous, and zharille was eager for the freedom of movement herself, so she would accompany them outside of the den to where they might rough-house.

it was the stranger's smell that alerted her first to their presence. she made a rumble of warning for her children and hurried them back to the den mouth, and looked to khaba, commanding that he keep them company. it was zharille's first chance to stretch her legs since the birth of her brood and she was hungry for it.

stalking from the den, zharille took a long route alongside the lake to obscure the scent of them and keep their location well hidden. the last thing she wanted was a stranger knowing where they slept. as she came upon a strong scent again, she recognized it as the interloper from before — but they were not alone.

the woman was a riot of quilled fur as she marched through the wood, stopping when she caught sight of the man, and flashing her front teeth when she recognized the woman.

what did they want?