Ocean's Breath Plateau the snack that smiles back

He was searching for his wife. For his father, too. But his bruised heart melted when he came within sight of the lodge, where one of the seal hunter babes was out in the sunshine.

"They pinch," he said to Sirmiq, nodding to the boy's minder to say that he would keep watch for a time. He did not move to stop the boy from playing, however. He might bleed, but it wouldn't cause any real or lasting damage. It would be good practice, in the panther's opinion.

He settled nearby on his elbows, hindquarters just slightly lifted in anticipation. He would jump in for the rescue if it became necessary; for now, he only batted the creature back towards the boy as it scuttle for safety.