Shadow Mountain drowning lessons

Two heeded his cry—the warrior-woman and the sleek young man. He cast an eye over both of them; he hadn't seen too much of the pair since he'd met them, separately, but they had come nonetheless. Their esteem was steadily rising in his mind.

No pity, Hex told her, shaking his head. We'd be trapped down there. Mountains have the high ground.

He sighed, brow furrowing as he stared across the range. But too close, here. I don't want neighbors.

He was not a natural leader. Lanky and unkempt, he cut a poor figure against the wilderness; Osleya would be better suited to command than he. 

But he had chosen this place, and they had answered. Thus, he would choose the next peak, too.

We'll go that way, he decided, dipping his muzzle northwestward. Past the canyon. Scout—see if anyone is around. Okay? his golden gaze asked silently, shifting between the two assembled.