It was high time he tried venturing further outside the pack territory, and with the pups heading off to visit with their allies anyway, it was the perfect opportunity. Wanting to explore freely, without his hazy memories of the swamp souring the experience, he chose to head north, along the creek and out into more open terrain. The variety of the territory around the pack surprised him, while the woods near the mountain were similar to where he grew up, the Backwater and wetlands were more akin to the coast, and now, up here, he found open fields and curious trees unlike any he’d ever seen.

Initially drawn more by the Orchard than the meadows, Vasco was heading towards the unusual trees when a distant sound caught his attention. Pausing in his step, the pale man raised his head, swiveling perked ears to try and identify the noise as it seemed to be moving closer. It sounded like a voice, but oddly melodic, not talking but instead seeming to keep up a tune. Turning to face the stranger, grey eyes narrowed to spot the dark figure against the snow in the distance. Uncertain, Vasco held his ground, calling out shaky: “Who goes there?” If he was lucky, it was one of the packs allies from the mountain; And if I’m unlucky? Well, he would get to test just how well he’d regained his stamina.

.

Thoughts ”Speech”