Ravensblood Forest homeward bound

Forging a path through untouched snow was no easy task for a wolf of his stature. Clumps of cold white clung to his belly and each step felt heavier than before. He almost wished Emris would go on ahead, gaze flicking jealously behind to see the woman's effortless strides, but Nox was not one to give up so easily.

Breath heavy with the effort, he threw his head back with a laugh. "Put a lot o' pressure on me, that has. I'll be shakin' in me boots if there's nothing to show for this hike." Underneath his playful tone, there remained an undercurrent of self-doubt. There were others that called this forest home too - bears, mountain cats - you name it. Not only did this camp have to shelter them from their own kind, but also from the prying eyes of far more tenacious predators.

They reached a point where the trees began to thin and the ground sloped more sharply upwards. "This is about as high ground as yer gonna get," the captain paused to catch his breath, "whaddaya say we split up? Scout sideways and call if we find anything."