Blacktail Deer Plateau Closer to the sun

Near the rear of the plateau, Pied discovered a den dug into the earth where it sloped up toward the mountain range's northwestern peaks. The entrance didn't look like much at all and she might not have noticed it if Mag hadn't swooped past it (likely just to draw her attention there). But when the pale Tau ducked inside, the tunnel—which led downward at a roughly 45° grade—led her down into a sizable subterranean chamber. The interior was dark and gloomy but very cozy. Safe was the word that popped into her head. Between the unremarkable entrance and the angled underpass, it was the perfect place for birthing and rearing puppies.

After exploring the inside a while, Pied reemerged into the sunlit forest. She stood just outside the small hole, taking in her surroundings. Two slender trees—the right thicker than the left—framed the unassuming mouth and a big shelf of rock formed its topside. Other trees grew nearby, as did several large bushes. It was very picturesque and when she considered its remote location, Pied again thought of the word safe. This burrow was tucked into the very back of the territory and pressed up against a rock wall, which meant that intruders were unlikely to come anywhere near it.

This is it, Pied decided and began to trot down the small slope. The ground leveled beneath her white paws as she headed toward the plateau's center. The air around her was light, warm and breezy—kissed with springtime. She hoped to grab a bite for lunch from one of the pack's caches and, eventually, find Kisu so she could show him what she'd found.