Ravensblood Forest the bigger they are, the harder they fall

@Pied

Jinx quit the Creek under cloak of the Stygian dawn, whose air shimmer with crisp ice fog. As paws directed her toward the mountain pass, her mind lapsed into the not-so-distant past, singling out her last words to Akhlut. She had not decorated her words with encouragement then, nor would she have done so now. Hers was an unfailing lack of faith—perhaps if she had looked back in time she might recognize it—that he could not remedy. But something he had said remained with her, following her like silent ghosts, plucking at her mind... And until today she had let that something simmer, placing it on her mental back-burners for another time.

But as she crossed over the mountains, following the pass that Hawkeye no doubt watched over, she knew that time was now. She cut close to the Plateau's territory, skirting by with little care whether they found her. Her injuries had had enough time to heal, so if she had to flee with her tail betwixt her legs, it would not be difficult. Aside from that confidence, Jinx still faulted Hawkeye for setting a demon dog on her, no matter how untrue it may be. The Kesuk had no more desire to see the hefty female than she did the desire to stand in the midst of a wildfire. Nevertheless, the pass was the quickest way from Swiftcurrent Creek to her destination, so she had no choice but to come close. To her pleasure, she was not spotted.

She dipped into the shadows of Ravensblood with a sigh of relief, edged with slight wariness. She was unaware that Akhlut had taken her criticism like a man and had upped his border presence, but still she was cautious. The mambo wouldn't put it past him, he who thought himself worthy when he had failed to prove why, to have warned all his wolves of her. He had extended an invitation to remain at the Ridge, but Jinx had been born suspicious, and did not trust him at his word. Should she have stayed, and her guard fallen, she might have found his teeth in her throat some dark night. She might have looked into his eyes as he whispered mutinous bitch in her face and stole away her life.

So close to his territory, it was no wonder she hesitated. It was no wonder she drew up one paw, contemplating the worth of following through with this venture. She almost turned back... But if she turned back to the Plateau and tried to sneak back over the pass, now that it was later in the morning, they might catch her. So Jinx mustered what craven courage she had and lifted her head to the sky, summoning... Anyone, it seemed. She didn't wish to see Akhlut, nor Kisu, nor any of the wolves who would claim she had acted in selfish greed rather than for the pack's benefit... But perhaps she could find someone less judgemental of her, and pass along a message that way.