Mudminnow River so far away

dark eyes lit with momentary amusement. pack life seemed so simple, compared to what he was used to. no fighting over scraps, living a sedimentary life instead of that of a vagabond, security. it was luxurious. maybe too prim and proper for the likes of dolce, but maybe it's the change he needs.

"dolce. nice to meet ya, cole." he rumbled, voice gruff but not unkind. the closer to polite he could manage. haunches meet the snowy ground, and he found himself relaxing. cole revealed he was a guard, and dolce's eyes softened with budding respect. he reckoned cole made a fine guard. he wondered if he could, too. 

"'fraid i can't offer much other than tooth and claw. fightin's all i've done, all i'm good at it." perhaps that was bearclaw was looking for—another guard to add to its ranks. 

he doesn't dislike the idea. it wouldn't be so different. protect your kin, die for them if needed. he'd once made that promise to a group of men that wouldn't have done the same. so he found himself hesitant to make the same pledge. 

"tell me more 'bout bearclaw?" he grunted.