Hushed Willows it’s a most unusual day

She left that fruitful place to the southeast, although she would return. Truthfully, that snaggle-toothed woman had made her feel less than welcome. Judged, really. And she was far too on-edge to put up with that kind of judgment for long.

Aisling followed the base of the mountains for a while until she came across a place beyond imagination. Willows, everywhere—boughs draping gracefully downward, adorned with spring blossoms. The air was fragrant and just a bit heady (though that was perhaps due to the increased elevation).

But she wasn't alone. Voices soon caught her ear, and with skin of berries swinging from her jaws, she padded that way, cautious but curious.

Two men. She much preferred the company of her own sex, but this was perhaps fine—although one was the largest wolf she had ever seen, with a demeanor that did not seem altogether pleasant. The other was tall, lanky and as pale as Aish was dark.

"You come to the mountains. Why?"

Well, it's not quite the mountains yet, no? Aisling remarked wryly, having set down her bounty at the base of a tree. She padded toward the pair, brow quirked upward.