Isomne was returning home to the Chasm, a plump rabbit hanging from her jaws showing that today's hunt had been a success. Night was falling, and the clouds had began to gather, threatening to unleash a storm. Dead leaves stirred on dark winds. Or was that something else? She hurried her pace.

Normally, she would have taken the prey to a cache and then found somewhere further from the den-cave to pass the night. Careful to heed Woya's wishes that the care of the pups be left to those she trusted most, Isomne had been content to know that they would call on her if they ever needed a hand with things. Tonight, though, the growing storm left her wanting to seek the shelter of the dens and the company of her packmates.

The snowy woman began humming to herself as she went along. The wind pulled at her coat as she walked. The trees creaked and shivered, and for a moment the moon broke through the clouds, and was obscured again a moment later. It was a good night for sharing tales and song, and already one had come to her mind as she ducked through the ferns into the cave's entrance.

"Yoo-hoo! Is anyone home? I've brought a snack," she announced brightly as she entered.