Blacktail Deer Plateau I will remember your face

"come, come," the beta murmured at the first drops of rainfall, herding his children into the thickest tree-copse near the rendezvous site. while storms were welcome sources of water, and enrichment of the earth, the racing winds and forbidding underbellies of the clouds caused apprehension within lasher.

no sooner had he gathered his children and the willow among the tightly interlaced branches than electricity crackled suddenly in the air. eilidh cried out, and constantine glared balefully at the sky. "what is it, papa?" casmir inquired, shouldering his way betwixt his parents. "it is lightning," taltos answered.

all at once, the too-near flicker of fire razed his interest into fear. the acrid smell of smoke crept into his nostrils, and his hackles reared with terror. forcing calm into the harried cadence of his heart, lasher pressed his lips against blue willow's ear, but before he could speak a word, malachi's tense voice rose into the air.

"stay here!" lasher ordered the four of them, exchanging a pointed glance with his lover, before setting a long-legged lope in the direction of the other. a tendril of dante's scent floated to him, but it was rather overpowered by the thick ash in the air. throwing back his head, he called to the wolves of the plateau, imploring them to rally unto him.