Whitefish River rune

The stranger mirrored his own mother in looks – tall and well-muscled with a golden-beige coat. She even spoke in Solveig's tongue, a language that was being taught to the children in tandem with Common. Arrax's ears perked forward at the word drengr, delighted at being called such, especially by one that wholly embodied his idea of a warrior.

"Heil," he replied quietly, listening then to her invitation. Unexpected though it was, the boy almost immediately agreed, hesitating only as he thought of his parents. The Cairn children had been taught to be wary of strangers, but the fact the woman spoke their own tongue had him trust her.

Besides, their pack was few; Arrax was doing a service for the family in helping track down prey.

The image of a proud Rusalka greeting him upon their return flashed in his mind, and the boy straightened with a determined nod, wordlessly requesting her to lead the way.