Winter had come in full force and the mountain had already turned into the hostile place it was every year. Only, this time, he had his brother's warnings echoing in his head. He thought maybe that was why he couldn't sleep on these cold nights. He was lost in his own head and couldn't relax... only, he knew that wasn't the only reason why.

His hip ached, a dull throbbing through his leg and up his spine in time with his heartbeat. He knew he should move. Really, he should. He just knew once he did move, it would hurt more. He'd briefly mentioned the stiffness to @Aquene at the beginning of the season, but it hadn't been this bad until it started snowing and it usually loosened up fast enough when he got up.

Nash shifted, trying to get more comfortable, and then with a heavy sigh gave up and stood, shaking his fur to hide his wince. He stretched, then limped from the den. He'd been at the entrance, inside just enough to avoid getting snowed on but far enough out to keep watch. It was still dark of course, the stars bright in the clear, cold sky. The leader hobbled to the lake's edge to pace, trying to force himself to put more weight on his leg than it wanted to let him.