Duck Lake cousin elk

They frisked along the lakeside, tails wheeling despite the deadly intent of their hunt. Life, Dutch had heard, was what happened in-between. It did not pause while they doled out justice or exacted revenge. It did not wait while they searched for lost family or for a place to call their own. So if this was his life, Dutch wanted it to be a happy one — and Chakliux did not make this a very difficult task.

Still.

"Yes," he admitted. "Moonsong."

He didn't like to think of them getting along without him. He'd not been there long, and his position still felt rather tenuous at times. He missed Fallen Sun and he worried for Sulukinak, and he wondered often if they were all getting enough to eat while the weather cooled.

"They are a pack of strays," he said to Chakliux. "Strangers that Ariadne has gathered together. They all have love for her, but I do not think the rest of their bonds are strong. I wonder who will be missing when I return."

None, he hoped. But he was a pragmatic man despite his penchant for fairytales.