Big Salmon Lake With our eyes wide open

the girl's assault was bold -- too bold.

quickly, she was swept aside; her fur rustling as the thick of the blow forced her back. three times the girl rolled before she caught her footing, her eyes flashing in heated rejoinder. her adversary was older, stronger -- and easily fended off the piranha's advances.

astara learned then that too big a move left too much time for an adversary to react. next time she would have to be stealthier, sneakier -- and with a grandiose move compacted into a quick one, perhaps in the future she would not leave her sides so vulnerable.

and now she was being circled, though flicker's steps were nimble. astara monitored the she-wolf for a pattern, and then lunged low for a forepaw. only, the move was a feint -- and halfway through commitment she swung her jaws upwards, again looking to nip throat or chest.