Larksong Grotto there could be no other end

@Silkie

it had not been easy to scale the oddly arranged steppes, but iliksis had done it. he had thought the small fen he had seen from the glaciers would be a good place for better vantage; while he had not entirely been wrong, he had underestimated the difficulty the stone-splattered slope presented.

all the same he had managed to reach the summit, and before him the rough shoulders of the flanking mountains panned out into a gentle vale; at its center a pool of lakewater could be seen by the harsh glare of its glittering surface. the water called to mind his thirst, and he struck towards the grotto's hearth at an ambling gait.

a breath is taken, deep, relieved and victorious as silkie steps down from the last of the treacherously steep steps that outcroppings and ledges and back onto solid ground once more. he'd almost second guessed himself several times on the way down but he kept moving down and east. it's been too long since bat's disappearance for him to track her through scent trail. he should've went shortly afterwards; instead he was selfish and spent his time sulking stubbornly in hougeda over nomi leaving to go to tridgeda. so now he figured he had to cover the wilds one territory at a time because he did not plan to return until he found her. he gave pause, light brown gaze scouring the ledge over his shoulder as he puts some distance between it and himself, encouraged in his plan when he did not see the glimpse of drageda wolves.

silkie isn't sure if that meant they weren't looking for him or if one of his diversion trails worked. though he had yet to earn the trade he was good at hunting and when he used his knowledge in reverse he figured it gave him a good chance at throwing anyone out scouting for him off his actual trail. it felt devious. but he knows that they will give them the old song and dance that wanlida would've: you're too young. let it for the adults. of so this is what he assumes anyway.

his head swings back around and he continues forward, marveling over what he's seen of the world from outside of drageda. thus far, ( and he has yet to see many territories ) it is vast and the few territories he's seen are so very different than his home. larksong grotto is no different. he thinks, as he makes his way towards the lake that his best bet might be to narrow territories down by water sources. he assumes that most if not all of them were self sustaining but he thinks that the territories with the largest water sources might appeal to bat the most given her affinity for water. having target territories and directions for where he might find his missing sister would help. part of him half expects bat to pop out of the water and splash him as he nears the lake and feels genuine disappointment when she does not.

he lets out a small huff and squares his shoulders, gaze scouring it to see the darkened shape of another nearby. "hei mister!" he calls in Drakru's native tongue at first and then switches to common. he doesn't immediately cross the distance if only because he wants to be respectful of personal space; but he is not afraid nor weary. silkie has no past experiences that would cause for him to be so. wanlida, mom and nomi might've warned him only half a billion times but it is easy to think they are just being over-protective. "i'm looking for someone... think 'ya could help me?" silkie inquires hopeful and naive.

he worked his tongue against a line of battered teeth, thinking about the refreshing relief of cool water up ahead. his ascent had made him devilishly thirsty, and a hoarseness had settled around his parched throat from his efforts.

like a snake a rivulet dipped through the territory, its black back glittering and throwing off a sour reflection of the sky. iliksis considered its surface for a moment before plunging his muzzle down, supping deep from the crisp supply of liquid.

a call in a tongue he had no business understanding broke over the quiet rush of water, and iliksis drew his head upwards to regard the creature that had disturbed his draught. a youngling, evidently alone and unafraid: already the wraith was considering what fun he could have with him.

then, the voice changed its tongue and the malleable, easy to understand language of his own preference settled in iliksis' ears. he wondered if this youth had gotten separated from his clade: if that was the case, he would have to be quick. "depends- who is it you are looking for?" iliksis' eyes had already done a precursory sweep of the promontory. for now, they appeared alone..