Deepwood Weald arctocephalus

He thought perhaps that she might need to think on it. Perhaps he would wake one day and find her at their doorstep. Instead she asked to be shown to the place, and the panther's tail swept the ground at his hocks.

"Certainly," he said, a kind smile belying his enthusiasm. His movements were measured and placid so as not to take her by surprise. "The journey is not long. You will be able to visit this forest still, if you'd like to."

The panther worked off instinct to keep the young woman's sense of freedom intact. He was wary of making her feel cornered or leashed — the tense line of her reminded him of Valiant, just a little. The way the other man always seemed poised to take off at a run was echoed in Sulukinak, although, he thought, perhaps to different ends.

He set a brisk but easy pace, careful of hurrying and lingering, both.

"Did you travel far to this place?" he asked her. It seemed that any who did not know the moon packs must come from another place.