Duskfire Glacier when the summer dies

You could have knocked Veteran over with a feather when a little voice echoed his introduction. He hadn't seen the other pup before, but he sure did now! His face lit up and he bounded over to close the distance. 

The Stranger-- what was her name? Mee-kah? It was Meekah, right? --she was saying stuff. She asked if Mother was around. 

"No," Veteran answered her simply, very much distracted. He mouthed at the other boy's muzzle, trying to tempt him into play. 

Now the Spotty Lady was talking to him. Veteran didn't digest much other than his young playmate's name. See-ku. That was easy! 

"Jah!" Veteran echoed excitedly, too distracted and excited to really understand what he was agreeing to. "Jah, Siku!" He waited for the boy's response with bated breath.