Hoshor Plains i was a goddess — now i ache.

He drifted around the valley for a few days, traipsing ever northward only to turn back once he hit the taiga. Headed south again, Bushtit felt compelled to check in with his mom and @Soto for a few hours. Then he hit the road once more, loping in the shadow of the Sunspires until he reached the biggest lake he’d ever seen.

He crept around it, eyeing the flock of geese bobbing out in the middle, where the water had either thawed or perhaps never frozen. Bushtit remembered his mother pointing out a flock of the noisy birds, winging south late last year. Were they returning now that spring was just around the corner?

Their honks faded behind him as he trekked northward across a snowy plain on the far side of the lake. The snow here was pristine, at least until he came across a set of footprints. The intrigued youngster followed them until they led him to a pale she-wolf standing like a statue.

Bushtit froze also, staring at her. He hadn’t had very good luck with strangers—particularly women—despite being a softhearted mama’s boy. He hesitated to approach, so he held back. He bit his lip, wondering if and when she’d notice him.