Heron Lake Plateau now i’m free from what you are

After yesterday's trip to the island between the river, Phox had returned to the plateau and settled in for an early evening before the sun had even gone down. He had carefully re-buried the rabbits he had caught in the pack's actual territory, rather than the adjacent one before making his way back to the crevice he now called home. He did not know how long Towhee wanted him to stay down in the lower parts of the Redhawk claim, but he assumed (rightly or wrongly) that she would let him know when he would be more welcome among the rest of the pack. At least Niamh had been kind to him. That friendly social warmth had felt foreign and comforting at the same time.

He had risen early, before the sunrise, as was his routine since he had come back to the Teekon Wilds (and very likely his routine for the better part of the year he'd been gone). The morning and the sunrise had been quiet, and he had spent it sitting quietly watching the stars and determining whether or not he would stay nearby or venture further away when the sun came out in full force. As usual, he looked to the stars for answers, watching them as if they might give him some unknown knowledge that he was not yet aware of. In the end, he decided to stay at the plateau and hunt along its base.

The hunter was doing just that when the call rang out and caused him to stop dead in his tracks. It was not a wolf he knew, and it was not one who sounded pleased, judging solely by the tone. He thought instantly of the wolves Niamh had taken, not realizing that this was a dissenter from within their own ranks. Feeling a rush of responsibility, he chucked away any idea that he should stay away from the middle of things. He had to find Towhee. Or Niamh. Or Raven. Or anybody who could help.

Long, dark legs propelled him up the plateau's side, the path unfamiliar. Tracking had always been one of his strong suits, and it wasn't long before he found a napping @Towhee. He paused, watching her for a split second and fearing the worst if he should startle her awake, but there was no time to worry for his own safety. Still, he could try. Picking up a nearby stick, he flung it directly at her face.

-Somebody's trying to take over!- he signed as quickly and as emphatically as he possibly could. Being deaf, she had likely slept right through the call.