Redtail Rise This life isn't romantic or free, there's no path to anything that makes any sense

"Valette and Xan," she softly said, her thoughts adrift in the memory of their faces and scents. But before she could wonder her personal hope for an alliance, Siarut started at her side, and Nanook swung her head back round toward the Rise, attention sharp and toward the present and immediate, in time to see the young girl stumble.

Nanook clipped forward, quick on the Northerner's heels, and drew herself short of crowding the girl, but close enough to give her a good one over. She looked much younger than her nieces - much too young to be travelling alone - but her scent was atypical, more like something of a vagrant or rogue rather than something a pack wolf would carry. As the Apaata's honed in on the ruddy splash tinging the fur along the child's chest, she leaned forward and flicked her gaze along the vibrant blaze with a frown. "Are you hurt?"