Moonsong Glacier pittaq ▱

The panther listened when instructed, his ears swiveling uneasily as the wind cried out. He was not sure what it was he was meant to hear, but he bristled all the same as the wind crept under his pelt to cool his skin.

The mountain is strong.

Dutch knew that. He knew that this was the mountain his grandfather had once walked, too. He lifted his face up toward the peak, thinking of Grayday, and of the man called gray trader. Were both their spirits in this place?

"Do not send your people," he said after a moment, his face turning back toward her. "Your sister and your son belong among you. This place — "

He looked to Silvertip once more.

"It will stand or it will fall," he said quietly, "But the wolves who live here will find peace. If the pack cannot make it, I will send them to the other villages. And if it can..."

The thought sat uneasily in his chest for a moment.

"In the springtime, perhaps you can come to teach us your sunshine ways," he said. "But for this winter, I will have to do my best as sword of the morning."

He lowered his head to her.

"You have given this mountain much already," he said to her. "I hope, come spring, we will have something to give back."