But if you close your eyes

For Osprey, but anyone else is welcome!

Wet snow was falling, splattering softly onto the branches of the trees over Rhodri's head. It was midafternoon, and the aspiring gamekeeper had just woken from a nap. He wasn't usually one to sleep during daylight hours, but he had found it difficult to get a good night's rest since becoming a member of the pack. It had nothing to do with the pack itself, but it was the first time the Ostrega had been away from his family -- and though he tried to put on a brave and confident face, he was beginning to feel lonely.

He rose and stretched, shaking the accumulated powder from his back as he stepped out onto the snowcovered path. There were many trails crisscrossing through the trees, and he was trying to acquaint himself with all of them. Drowsily, he began to move, stifling a yawn and blinking bleary eyes against the snowfall.