Wapun Meadow i wish to remain nameless

from each of their scents, astara learned a little about them. interlopers, loners -- wolves used to vagrancy.

she allowed them to inspect her in turn. when the ceremony was over the blackbird neatly sat upon her haunches several feet away on ursus' side -- silent, watchful as a sphynx. nycteria might find her query unanswered, but the answer lingered in the demonstration of astara's alignment with the distant stones of bearclaw.

two was one too many to chase off, but she would make it known they were dangerously close to the realm of the bear -- and the bear did not discriminate in whose blood was drawn.

she skulked along their periphery until the pair departed -- once she was sure their claim was safe, astara took the long way home to confuse any stragglers that might pursue.