Big Salmon Lake hateraid

Rian contorted, twisting around so that his hindpaw could reach the snow-filled crevass of his ear. He kicked at it clumsily, looking more like a leggy colt than a nearly full grown wolf. Success was met with a grunt of pleasure and he shook his head loudly, ears slapping against his skull, until her raucous laughter startled him so that he nearly tumbled right back into the snow bank. The boy gaped at her, until he realized that she hadn't found humor at his expense, but rather his uncoordinated crash landing. He blinked, smirked, and blew a bit of an embarassed raspberry with his lips—laughter was hard to come by these days, and this was as close as he'd come in months.

When she finally caught her breath and declared his score, he thumped his tail. Great! But then she approached and he felt that weirdly awestruck feeling again that stole his vocabulary, and his senses. His ears splayed out but he listened intently, eyes wide, as she stooped and whispered the secret in his ears. That was important, but more interesting was how the rich pine scent of her fur reminded him of Neverwinter's own, though laced with the subtle earthy overture of the mountain slopes. He inhaled as she drew away and indicated it was time for another round.

He rose and, together, they resumed the game.