Duskfire Glacier the phantom pain

A stranger appeared from the scattered foliage on the outskirts of the glacier, stalking forward with the confidence of a pack wolf on home turf. Perhaps Veteran had been wrong about the territory being deserted. He adjusted his posture accordingly, and as the stranger continued to approach, he tried in vain to pull a pack scent from the gusting air. 

The closer the stranger came, the larger they loomed. Veteran was not used to being dwarfed, and certainly not by one who spoke with a feminine voice. 

"No," he agreed after a moment, "I haven't been here in a long time. Is this your home? I didn't mean to intrude." He attempted to keep his gaze shifted away-- as was polite-- though the urge to stare was fierce.