Phoenix Maplewood LVIII

the huntlead set off again, this time chuffing for @Saturdays Sunrise to accompany him beneath a drizzle of cold rain.

only some days prior had her mother chosen a den that she now sought to perfect for the following season. mountain boulder hunted in the rise and used any other time to repaint his scent on the border.

now he brought flame stalker to the site and licked his jaws. he was still of the rise, as was she, as was new snow. these pups, intended to be born outside redtail, would perhaps not be. and moon runner, too, would return wearing her own scent.

the bloodwood was good, with much prey and several water sources. mountain boulder would be pleased if his older daughters made this their rendezvous after new pups arrived, to support new snow while he was away. he also suspected that thorn caller and maybe even red woman would come here, making it a sort of extended home.

for now, he waited to see flame stalker's reaction.

She lies in wait near the beaver pond, watching for any signs of the aquatic mammals. It seems to be too late in the year. A few hours pass, and with some frustration, she abandons the pond.

Trotting through the maplewood forest, Isra takes note of the nearby wolves. She ignores them, however.

sunrise follows suit, taking in the sweeter scent of the land as she looks to her father for guidance. the young girl secretly struggled with the idea of becoming older, old enough now that her parents are moving and preparing for the next batch of puppies to welcome to the world. though, it seems like the placement of this den site is outside of the rise. what did mother and father mean by this decision? was her den that she was born in not good enough?

she thinks back to the promise of safety, for when their family can reunite at once. with this in mind, sunrise thinks back to the mystery that is moon runner, and hopes that she may come back soon to drive the decision making process further. though, for now, she offers her father a supportive lick of the muzzle -- whatever made them happy would make her happy.

flame stalker was becoming a dutiful daughter, slowly and wearily letting go of her brash youth in hopes of growing a more mannered adult. at least, so long as her parents remained persistent in her guiding and teachings. but her small moment with her father is cut short as she senses another presence, the markings of a splotchy female catching her eyes.

a small rumble to her father. "do we stay? or see?"

when they returned to the rise, mountain boulder would show flame stalker the first den he and new snow had possessed, and the second, where she and her sister had been born.

what he communicated for now was third. it had become their way to choose a new site each time.

he lifted his head and looked toward the rise. they might have chosen another there this year. he wished to convey to his daughter that this was an uncommon decision.

and now his attention shifted, sharpening.

mountain boulder followed with a heavy, threatening step. the bloodwood belonged to his family, even if briefly. and as the forest was close to the redtail land, this stranger too, was too near for his liking.