Redtail Rise prince

Faraway Shadow did not refute Moon Runner’s sentiments.

She saw the signs of conciliation in his body. Heard them in the expressive timbre of his voice. The desire to appease. Ammend. Explain.

Her amber eyes watched him carefully, gaze not yet warm but melting.

She took a few steps toward Faraway Shadow when he lowered himself to the earth. This base display greatly appealed to Moon Runner’s feral instincts. To her, it was a show of deference and cooperation. Apology, even. And it touched Moon Runner’s wild heart.

However, a small and intrusive voice represented the hurt still within her.

Hold his selfish muzzle with your teeth! the dark spirit desired. Push him into the ground! Punish him!

The band of cream hairs along her nape began to prick just as Wise Father joined them. Like an unrockable boat, he passed by. His steady, unbothered presence showed Moon Runner the right path.

Eventually, the young she-wolf came close enough to Faraway Shadow to inspect what he wished her to know.

She stood over him, but not in a comandeering way. Her ears turned in thought as her eyes and nose worked together analytically. In the darkness of Faraway Shadow’s black and umber furs hid a lean and weakened figure. A sharp and hungry body, weathered by the elements. Because of experience, Moon Runner knew the state well. Faraway Shadow had been ill.

Moon Runner had the majority of the puzzle pieces… but not all of them to complete the whole picture. She knew there had been some sort of skirmish… but she would never know the decayed, dangeorus, and animal state that Blood Spot and Rolling Thunder had succumbed to. What the sickness known as rabies could to do a wolf. Why Faraway Shadow and Wealda sequestered themselves away so adamently.

But what mattered was that they had both returned. The pack could be whole again.

She sniffed his furs up and down the side of his body like a pendulum. Then, around the face. Ears. Jowels. Not one hair escaped her inspection. Satisfied, Moon Runner gave him space and stretched casually. A wave of her white tail.

All is well, the spirit said. All will be well.

Still, Moon Runner’s expression was stoic and absent of its usual nonchalance. At some point, the spirit realized, Faraway Shadow had become a stranger to her.

Wise Father rumbeled a note. It grounded Moon Runner.

She turned toward the forest, in the direction of Wealda and Chimpmunk’s resting spot. Faraway Shadow should meet the Rise’s newest member… and she took a step forward, ready to show him the way.