Dawnlark Plains checkpoint

She moved north through more wetlands, past a vast forest, and into the stark, flat white of the plains. The sun reflected off the snow in a way that made Sialuk's eyes squint against it. Even with the sparse cloud cover, it was as though the white bore into her skull. But it did not stop her from moving forward. With large, webbed paw pads, she continued north, pausing only occasionally to call to those who may be nearby.

The low, eerie howl could no doubt be heard for miles around.

Her long tail swung as she moseyed along the borders, sniffing at the markers and refreshing them wherever necessary. Masquerade typically squatted when she relieved herself, though presently she only dipped her hips. She didn’t want to be too vulnerable near the borders and, besides, it was a demonstration of her position in the hierarchy.

She was midstream when a howl rose into the air. Masque turned her ruddy face toward it and sniffed the air, idly at first and then more deliberately. She straightened her back and began loping toward the plain to the south. With every step, the scent grew stronger in her nose.

When she spotted the white she-wolf, the Caru paused for a moment. Her fur rippled. Without any other warning, she galloped toward the stranger with a snarl of warning, meaning to drive her further away from the rise.

probably the last one from me?

Movement caught her eye first, and Sialuk paused, watching the figure barrel toward her. The snarl was the last warning she needed before the village leader high-tailed it westward, away from the red-masked silvery figure. She did not look back, nor did she stop until she was well past the bright white of the snow-covered plains.

The woman fled quickly, prompting Masquerade to dig her heels into the snowy ground. She ground to a halt, ears thrust forward, tail curving over her spine and hackles still bristling. She did not make another sound, though her eyes followed the pale silhouette until it disappeared into the distance.

The Caru aggressively swiped her paws against the ground, kicking clods of dirty snow into the air as she left her territorial calling card. She shook out her ruff, then pivoted and loped back toward the rise, her thoughts only now catching up with her actions as she pondered her own instinctive impulses.