Rising Sun Valley A Stray Ember

Despite the darkness, Easy knew the exact moment his eyes found her. They reflected twin moons at her, first off — and there was a telltale flinch that suggested he was not as pleased to find company as she was.

"Don't apologize," she said, working to be sure he would hear neither pity nor amusement in her voice. "I'm by myself. No packs for miles yet."

This area was still a popular haunt for the ever-transmuting packs of the Teekon wilds. Easy had passed by Easthollow on the way in, but she hadn't recognized any scents there. The Cuesta where she'd been born, however, still stood empty. Knowing this gave her a lonely sort of feeling. Another face might assauge that, familiar or not.

"I'm Ishara. What's your name?" she asked him, further gentling her voice. He wasn't a child, but something about his nervousness brought out her maternal instincts. He reminded her of Valiant, perhaps.