Redtail Rise Beartooth

There was no return call. For a time he waited and watched, and through the snow came a familiar man. Not much appeared to have changed with this one; his name eluded Tulimaq, who then mentally called him Tuugak for his size and his ivory coat. This man held the confidence of someone in charge. Tulimaq remembered his silence from before, his prowess also, and saw no reason to break the quiet between them with words — the way of Tartok was easier.

He approached Tuugak with his own head high, but his tail low. From time to time between steps the end of his tail would twitch as if to convey uncertainty; the rest of him was prideful, to show he was still capable. When he was close enough to breathe the same air as Tuugak he gave a chuff and a rough, but playful, grab at his chin — hunt-brother!

Was the Tartok elder welcome to stay?