Totoka River On either side the river lie

There had been an uptick of foot-traffic in the area recently. And though this had not gone without Stemaria’s notice, she was not inclined to accost strangers in defense of a border she did not mark. It is the hunt that took up most of her time and thoughts; there was room for little else.

She saw no reason to waste her time laying scent claims and patrolling when she was on her own. Not to mention that seeking out recruits felt too much like begging. Pride may be her downfall yet, but the tigress was perfectly fine remaining on her own, especially while she still mourned the fairly recent separation from her only littermate and confidant.

Beneath a misty drizzle, fast approaching sunset, she tracked along a length of deer trails that led out from the forest onto the riverland.