Moonsong Glacier Snowdrops

The panther moved with new purpose, gathering together all the things he did not want to leave behind. Pelts, mainly, and gifts for the seal hunters, and the talisman that Alaric had given him.

It was the poison that he searched out, now, following his memory to the tree where it was hidden. He paused, though, when a familiar scent came to him on the breeze. He'd caught it many times in recent memory, but not so close as this. A fierce pang shot through his chest, and he abandoned his quest to seek out Simbelmyne instead.

"Simbelmyne," he hailed her, quickening his pace when he finally caught sight of her. He had forgotten how pretty she was — or perhaps just the strange, fey quality of her beauty. He was speechless for a long moment, his mind a tumult of plans and desires and slow-dawning realization.