The fields held bones as well as rodents, and it was on these that the ginger northerner had most focused on. The Watch was slowly growing, but she and her siblings were prone to wander the surrounding areas. Much of her time was spent hunting for herself, for she was finally able to gain back more weight now that her home range was stable. All that would be left to do would be to begin sparring regularly again to hone in her fighting abilities for which her people were so proud.
        Valmúa was careful not to disturb the mounds, not even when she suspected voles hidden within. Instead, she dug between them where the grasses grew. Patience had never been her strength. She dug hurriedly into a small hole that she could hear a tiny beast chattering within. Her head moved from side to side as she tried to pinpoint the sound. Instead of the vole, she heard the subtle footfall of one close behind her, and she swept around to greet the intruder with teeth bared.
        It is the Unnuakvik, she said, half grinning and half snarling. Her tail waved like a flag while her expression softened. She strutted forward to sniff at his neck. Val had wondered when she might see the Tartok again.

        Valmúa could see that the wound along his mouth was still present. Surely it would heal in time with a young, sprightly Tartok like him. Stjor had his medicines of course. Together, they would spread Tartok and make it strong in this new southern land. Like their forebears, the land and her nature would reward them with riches. Those that stood in their way? Well, Val had plans for such insects.
        They are little rats, niki in the dirt, she explained, ears swiveling toward the sounds and pawing frustratedly at the damaged hole again. She used the more general word for food in his native tongue, not knowing the more specific one. I hear them, she growled. Her nose twitched as she pawed hopelessly at the vole tunnel entrance.
        She was not experienced enough at hunting such animals to know that they had been exiting out a back route every time she managed to dig far enough to get one out. It was only when she spotted them running between entrances that she had managed to capture just one.

        Despite his disinterest, Valmúa went on digging at the now abandoned tunnel. Had Kigipigak not been present, it was likely the red woman would have spent hours digging fruitlessly with the same strategy. She was not the type to give up easily, even when things didn't seem to be working out in her favour.
        Her interest in him rather than the voles proved stronger, however, for she stopped her digging to look at him when he asked of the mountain. Val turned to look at the immense sunspire that chased the stars. A great bird climbed the currents. There was no sound up there, no small animals to tickle her insanity. She inhaled the air, wishing for it to smell of the great mountain, but catching only the sea instead.
        Only around it. The way up is hard, she said, eying one of the peaks. Many of the parts of the mountain were impassible without going at least part way around it. I do not think there is a good way up from the Watch, she said, though now she wished that there was. The mountains may have been the closest thing to their homeland. She could see snow already capping the highest reaches of their rocky precipices.

        Hard does not mean impossible.
        Valmúa looked at the pale man. He was right, of course. It was not in their blood to avoid doing something just because it was a difficult task. And so, the mountain path became their new journey. Forgetting the voles and the filth on her paws, she shot a devilish grin at him on the suggestion that they simply find the path. She quickly followed her eye contact with a nip at the fur of his cheek, pushing past him to look at the way to the Watch.
        Raven's Watch was bordered by a mountain stream that was sourced from the mountain in question. The water source produced cascading waterfalls that were beautiful to behold, but held steep and difficult slopes of sheer rock in places. The area around is was green and fruitful, but Val hadn't figured out how to get up past the lake to the mountain peaks beyond.
        You will come with me, she said swiftly, intending the innuendo as she flashed her eyes briefly to his. Looking back toward the road to their Watch, she moved between the mounds, careful not to disturb them. We will find the path to the mountain, she declared equally boldly. In fact, she had never bothered to look that hard for a good path up the mountain. Surely, if they could get to the lake they could get past it.

        Dutifully her new favourite pet followed behind her. She led him away from the site of bones and hidden rats to the place they were building. The slopes began early and on them the trees reached to the skies to create a dark canopy of conifers. The crows of the ravens were ever present. It was impossible to forget where one was when nature's voices were constantly yelling it at you.
        All the while, Valmúa knew his temptations and delighted in his gaze. Thankful for more hours alone with his northern essence, the ginger woman taunted him all the way with the occasional extra sway of her hips. When she looked behind to him, her eyes were fierce, as though he might be in trouble. She never chastised him.
        Slowly, she was wrapping him around her little finger.