Nova Peak ε

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next to her, his gait was lumbering, his stamina ugly. but it was these traits which skorpa used to keep sight of ayovi's darting form, moving higher and higher above him.

at last he lost her in the traceries of white powder, a queen resplendent in her stonewrought home. any other time he would be unthinking, would encourage her on. but they had not yet secured the mountain. bears slept high in icy reaches, large cats stalked the wooded recesses. more than wolves could be feared.

with a jolt of protective worry, skorpa threw himself into a higher speed and grunted as he came across ayovi's prints in the snow. but where ice gleamed, it was as if his rainwater had disappeared.

skorpa began to make a game of it, tracking her slowly across the frozen clutch; scratch of claw here, a place where tiny melt gave away the press of her paw.

the warrior drew close to the hiding place of ayovi but did not spot her, head down as he examined for any more to her trail.

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