The stranger seemed to react to his warning with thought, and the dark peppered male sank down to his haunches, his golden eyes steady upon the pool of water that rest before them. Ruiko’s gaze shifted to the water as well, briefly considering the outcome if the source dried up completely. Where would the fish go? Would the prey relocate to an area more abundant with water? More importantly.. would they relocate?


The male’s words echoed his own thoughts, but the Tainn lifted his shoulders in a shrug. He had no true answer, and in the end, it was not his decision to make. That alone belonged to Indru, who was becoming increasingly worried over the situation. “Not sure yet,” he reiterated, his tail sweeping the ground behind him leisurely. “I’m of the Swift River pack,” he answered with a light drawl, his eyes sharp once more upon his companion. “And yourself?”

The wolf’s question drew a nod from the male, revealing that his companion was indeed quite new to the lands, for he must not have went near the Sacred Grove yet. “Very close,” he replied as his muzzle gave a nod in the direction of his home. “Our land lies South-west of here, in the Sacred Grove.” Ruiko was never usually so accommodating to a lone wolf’s request for knowledge, and the only reason the male was able to gather so much information from him stemmed as a warning; if this wolf decided to traipse close to his pack lands, he could not use ignorance as an excuse, for he now knew where one of the packs rested.


The male gave insight to his history; a history that if Ruiko had been the wiser and perhaps more psychic, he could have linked the correlation between Ranger and the male before him. It did seem strange to him for a wolf to strongly dislike their birth pack, but he did not question further upon the matter, for it was not his business. “I have no words of wisdom for you,” he remarked with a shrug, his figure lifting now as one paw remained protectively over the fish he had caught. Time was passing, and the male needed to feed the hungry mouths at home. “Except that if you do decide to stay for the winter, it would be wise to settle with a pack, especially during these harsh times.”

The wolf seemed to recall once more what Ruiko was so steadily guarding, and a twinge of guilt surpassed the tawny regal as his dark pelted companion took a step back, offering him a polite goodbye. Ruiko bowed his muzzle in a dip lightly, his gleaming eyes fast upon the male as a small smirk finally broke across his stoical features. “I have small mouths to feed,” he explained briefly, not wishing to dwell too much on Borlla, Triell and Kinis’ existence too much with the stranger. After all, as kind and open as Quest seemed to be, Ruiko was still uncertain of the stranger.


The rogue mentioned visiting Swift River, and the second Tainn gave a slight nod. “Call at the borders,” he offered gruffly, shifting his weight. “My brother or I will meet you there. Take care, Quest,” he spoke, only now bending down to gently grasp the fish with his muzzle. With another quick glance, the River wolf was then off to the direction of his home, his cream limbs moving steadily as he imagined the youth of the pack were hungry, if Indru had not yet caught them something.