Dragoncrest Cliffs The Bends

val stepped back as mireille arrived - her curt inspection and the cluck of her tongue brought a small smile to val's face.

chacal was next to arrive; val gave the trio a wide berth now, recognizing his station here was more by honor than necessity. his ears strained forward to hear suzu's account, but he was patient -- his eyes gradually widening as each layer of this complicated onion was exposed.

val's mouth formed a thin line. the news suzu brought was troubling. his gaze cast between mireille and chacal, deferring to them first. the more suzu spoke, the more val's anger directed to this strange man mounted.

he tried to make sense of this puzzle. etienne had legs, didn't he -- couldn't he run and leave the complicated lives of the inland wolves behind?

val loosened a sigh. in his mind, it was time for etienne to come home.