Two Rivers Isle paper shields and wooden swords

She lapped greedily, the noise concealing the sound of footsteps. When a shadow fell across the water, Meerkat started a little, swiftly raising her head. Droplets of water dripped from her chin as she peered at a young she-wolf on the other shore. She looked about the same age as her daughters, her palette immediately reminding Meerkat of Orca in particular.

It is, she agreed almost automatically, then blinked as the rest of the words registered. Does it?

Meerkat resisted the urge to look around as if searching for a glacier. There was a mountain off to the west, perhaps that was what she meant. Meerkat wasn’t particularly interested in fact-checking the youth. She was much more curious about the young lady herself.

I’m Meerkat. I live in the copse, that way. She gestured behind her. What’s your name? Do you live nearby? she asked with a friendly switch of her sandy tail.