Northstar Vale doors slamming all around

Besides his queen he was content, scaling the rock before them languidly. He had filled out in their time away from the wilds; the perfect picture of a young, healthy adult. He had changed too, in temperament; perhaps the genes of his father finally made themselves known to him now. Cunning had replaced soft intelligence, and his soft view of the world had hardened and toughened. One thing remanded constant in his life; the sterling girl by his side. 

He glanced to her now as the faint pack-scent he had noticed quite suddenly grew strong, and he realized that he stood upon a border of sorts. The scents were weak, and he could pick out only a few distinct ones.  There was a pack here, surely, but their strength was flagging. And in the face of winter, that was inviting certain death into one's home. His glance was a question; did this place hold something for them, or would they leave this pack in search of better fare further north?

@Freyja @Chusi 

Perhaps a few months ago, he would have cared little for pride, but after leading beside his mate for the months that they had; he couldn't find himself just as willing to bow at the feet of another, least of all whichever wolf led this place. His gaze swept the territory, it was beautiful, surely, but empty. He did not reply immediately, but after a moment offered her a sidelong glance. "We must grovel, eventually, if we want to survive the winter." His was the voice of logic, though hardly what he wanted. What he wanted was for their place to have grown stronger, lasted.

The words came tinged with uncertainty, for while he knew of rank challenges, he had never contemplated simply taking another's land.  "or... we could take this place."  He surveyed his mate contemplatively, wondering if the proposition was as ludicrous as he thought it might be, or if it held some sense.

Redshank barging in like

The life of a loner had not been kind to Redshank. As much as he was loathe to admit, he was not cut out for being an independent man. His ribs grew more visible by the week, his figure had grown upwards but not out, and nicks and scratches peppered his muzzle and paws. If it weren't for his sheer size — or rather, lack of it — one would be forgiven for thinking him to be much older than he actually was. However the boy maintained his defiant and headstrong demeanour, evident by the glimmer in his eyes and how his path shifted when he overheard a nearby conversation.

While he hadn't been aiming to head in the Vale's direction, somehow he had ended up near their borders, even though he had developed a seething hatred of the Vale's former leader. Just as Redshank had begun to like and trust the man, he had just up and left. Just like his own father before him. The thought made him snarl in anger but he redirected his focus on locating the two voices.

Or... we could take this place. Redshank's ears pricked with interest, and he hurried his steps as he quietly made his way to where the two wolves sat. He studied their forms from afar — they were both strong and capable looking. He turned to the grey-furred woman as she spoke, an impish grin curling across his gaunt features. He stalked forward silently before piping up once he was close enough, "if y'guys need some help..."