Spotted Eagle Mountain orod

braids whipped as she twisted - sharp movement and controlled motion - towards the source of the sound. she knew what it would be even before her gaze swept once, then twice, then saw the snow-furred, pebble-dappled вук.

heart accelerated. 

pulse a quiet thrum against the side of skull. 

she willed herself into stillness. 

the animal came closer.

but medalina did not run. 

once it stopped ( it would, she hoped ) the dog would stay quiet. first, she would exaggerate, mime, tension leaving her body. tail relaxing, head lowering. 

then, slowly, never looking directly at the вук, she would come to lay down on the snow. proper pose. head placed between forelegs.

( but hindlegs kept to sides of body, to propel her quickly up, if need be. )