Wheeling Gull Isle wanderer, what are you searching for?

he felt much calmer as she spoke his name, her sweet voice breathing new life to the syllables. he nodded, the barest of smiles coming to his face--though it hurt to hold that expression for long. the sleek black wolf turned, then, and guided him to a river on the small, sloping mountain, drinking from it.

at her gesture, adi dipped his muzzle into the water, almost collapsing in ecstacy at the pure, crisp taste of it, washing the salt from his mouth and sliding down his sore throat. he was careful not to drink so much that his stomach ached, instead taking small, cautious swallows.

when he had finished, he sank to the ground, muscles shaking from exhaustion. the small trek up the ocean crag had depleted whatever strength he had, and he wanted desperately to sleep for a long time in a warm bed.

his golden eyes, the lashes still crusted with salt, lifted to her face. "seelie," he whispered. "dhanyavaad. bahut. . .thank you."

maybe he wasn't dead.