Swiftcurrent Creek the sun will settle on dust

Even though her mind and soul were ready to move on, today would still be a bitter-sweet day. No matter how many enemies had come to crowd around them, Swiftcurrent Creek would leave a hole in her heart. This was where Bazi had grown up - where she had made friends, lost them, fought for her pack, and found love. The Creek had given her a family, and seen her through selfishness and mistakes, gradually shaping the wolf she had become now.

This was not mere earth underfoot. Bazi reminded herself that as the family settled down to await the pack.

Relonikiv settled with Scimitar. Bazi made no move to force Julius to sit near her, but made sure there was space - her adopted son had not taken news of the move well, and Bazi wondered if he should have been introduced to the idea sooner. After all, it had taken her months and a long trip north to even consider it - and she was a grown-up.

The wolves began to assemble. Bazi pressed her shoulder to Scimitar's, facing the gathering group with a feeling of new hope and a silently grieving heart.