Things were returning back to what Jessie could best call normal. Her three children were safely within the borders of her pack –  as far as she knew –  and they currently had enough members to get through the winter. And so the Tainn’s life comfortably fell back into a normal routine of checking the borders, filling the caches when they were getting low, and spending time with her children. None of the tasks she busied herself with bothered her. Jessie was glad to get back to a place of normalcy after so much chaos.

Calmed with the fact that her children surely wouldn’t be causing too much trouble – and if they did she had her pack mates to back her – the woman marked the borders. She enjoyed the time alone. Ever since her most current litter was born, she had not had much solitude and as leader, it was not something she received very often. She would never complain but it would be useless to deny the sneaking anxiety that would creep up on her if she did not get that time alone she more than often always craved.

She paused on her round of the borders, emerald eyes sweeping into the depths of her territory as her eyes narrowed in confusion. She inhaled again just to be sure that her nose was not deceiving her, even though the thought that it might be possible was preposterous. A Hearthwood wolf here? In my borders. The girl smelled heavily of Kisla and it hadn’t even crossed the mother’s mind that the girl might have been a child. After all, why would a child of the River be all the way in the Rye? She picked up her pace, her fur standing on end and when she finally came upon the scene of the intruder, her heart froze and she stood still, fur flattening on her back.

A deep frown pulled on the corners of her mouth. This doesn’t make any sense. Clearing her throat to grab the girl’s attention best she could, Jessie finally spoke, “Child, what’s your name?” It was so obvious to her now, that the girl was Kisla’s. At least, she had to be. Though, who would Kisla have bred with. Maksim was gone, though Jessie completely understood the concept of having to keep a pack’s legacy alive. Still, why was she here, so far away from home? Surely, someone from Wild Rye Fields could spare her a trip back if she needed it. Perhaps, she had just gotten lost.

Children were so innocent. They displayed their emotions readily on their faces and it was easily apparent that Jessie had startled the young girl. the Tainn doubted that her rushed entrance helped her case.  Jessie was more concerned with the fact that a child – not of her own – was within her borders, and quite far away from the River that she should have been home. It seemed that after a moment of sizing them her, the girl warmed up to her and offered a name. Jessie’s heart skipped a beat. Rissa? There was no mistaking that this was indeed Kisla’s child.

The child'sdid not offer a reason as to why she was within her borders and it did nothing to satify Jessie's curiosity, only fueling her desire to know why she was all the way in the Rye. She smiled towards the girl, trying to make her feel welcomed and introduced herself. Maybe she would pick up on the fact that they were family? “Well, I am Jessie Tainn. You stumbled into my pack grounds, Wild Rye Fields. Are you hungry?” Perhaps, if she got some food into the girl, she would be more willing to talk to her and tell her why she was all the way out there. No doubt, after all the traveling she was doing, she was hungry.

An almost warm feeling settled in the pit of Jessie’s stomach at the child’s reaction to her mention of her name. Though what shocked her the most was perhaps that their name was shared – though it was not quite by blood. It made Jessie wonder who exactly their father was. It was another burning question but one that would have to go unanswered for the time being and might forever be a mystery. There were needs that should be attended to, especially to a pup that had traveled all of this way and was surely in need of some nourishment and rest.

Ris’ acknowledgement towards her question caused a small smile to tug at the corners of her lips. The Tainn was less than pleased that the child was hungry but glad she that she could provide. “Very well, follow me.” She waved her tail behind her in invitation starting towards the heart of her territory. Jessie wondered what @“Drestig” would have thought of this – the girl coming into their territory – but she had no doubts that he would have supported her decision in taking the child in. Especially since it concerned their allies and, most importantly, family.

Emerald eyes slid to the side to observe Ris, Jessie’s lips pursed in thought. “What are you doing all the way out here?” she questioned curiously, her tail waving behind her. The pepper-and-salt colored woman made sure to keep a steady, slow pace so that the River child would be able to keep up with her. Jessie was sure that the pup was already worn out and it would not due for her to wear her out before she could get any answers out of her. Ahh, here we are. Trotting forward, Jessie’s pulled out a plump squirrel from their cache before looping back towards Kisla’s child and laying the kill down in front of her. Licking her lips, the mother cautioned the girl kindly, “I would eat slow if I were you.” If she didn’t heed her warning, the girl might learn soon enough.

The Tainn picked up on the stutter but summed it up to nothing more than nerves and exhaustion. After all, she had traveled all the way from the River but it made no sense. Why would she travel so far away from her home? From her mother? Kisla would be worried sick. If Ris’ namesake meant anything, Jessie had a decent idea of what have been going through her friend’s head.

As they traveled, the child brushed up against her occasionally and Jessie did her best to give the girl a reassuring smile. Her answer did nothing to stop Jessie’s burning curiosity, but the monochrome woman remained silent and allowed the girl to eat her meal in peace. Why? It seemed to be the most imminent question popping up in Jessie’s mind. Why are you here? When Ris nudged the rest of the squirrel towards her, the Rye Queen shook her head, a small smile on her lips, “No, thank you. I am not hungry. Try to finish it if you can.” The mother allowed a few moments of silence to pass between them.

There was no way Ris would be able to make the trip back to Hearthwood River now. She needed rest and Jessie knew that it would be only right for her to take the girl in. They were family, after all. If only Drestig had waited one more day before going on his scouting trip. The pepper-and-salt colored woman’s lips pursed, emerald eyes looking down again to observe the small child. Her voice was patient and soft when she spoke again, “Why did you walk all the way over here, Ris? Why did you leave Hearthwood?” Jessie needed to know. If something had happened at home, to their allies, Jessie would need to do anything she could to help.