Plodding through the frigid muck and melting snow was irritating, if not familiar to the skinny vagabond. This had been her daily course of action for months, and she still found her behavior falling into its old patterns as they trudged along. Deeply introspective thoughts were interrupted by the slightest rustle of a bird, or falling of melted snow. She trailed the group, lacking the rank or confidence to walk any closer to her new Alphas. While she was grateful that she did not have to plow through the mush, the ground became even more slippery and soft after all those paws had pushed it around. She found herself slipping on the occasional patch of snow or treacherous soil, and was careful to keep herself as upright as possible each time. Raela would have been grateful for the warmer temperatures, and the warmth that came with them, if the sleet and slush hadn't soaked her underside to the skin. If anything, it was colder and more miserable now with so much moisture under her coat. At least the top half of her was keeping some precipitation out. Sections of the trail that consisted of snow instead of mud were a welcome reprieve, managing to clean off the bottom of her pads before they dove back into the next disgusting section of earth. How she wished she could have been resting, but the pups needed her. She had volunteered knowing full well that it meant long hours of searching high and low. The lost children were probably far more miserable than her right now – if they were still around here somewhere.

It was some time before they reached the ravine. Raela felt no different about the location than she had any other; everything was new when you kept moving around. At least Black Thorn Downs had begun to feel familiar, stable. Her ears rotated constantly. Since no attention at all was on the girl at the back, she was free to look as twitchy and nervous as ever. Alone, surveillance and observation would save your skin more often than not; this Raela had learned quickly. Her bright orbs flickered about the landscape, with her head occasionally following suit. She was picking up on insignificant things, but no news was good news in a strange place. Her attentive sweeping was halted by Minka's excited yip. She moved forward with the others at a swift trot, slowing a few feet from the leaders. She could see on their faces that the find was not of consequence. Old adult tracks. Tokino confirmed her suspicions with a sigh. Raela paused to scent the air around them, put gathered nothing fresh or familiar. She hoped a small trace of the Downs' scent would linger on the youngsters, as she had no clue what their individual scents were.

She lowered her head and ears when her Lead male turned to look at her, wordlessly admitting that she had nothing of consequence either. Those poor kids... She wished that if they had run into an adult like this, that they had at least been friendly. If the kids were lucky, maybe someone had taken them in. Her sensitive ears caught Tokino's speech, and the female couldn't help but agree with his words. Cautiously, she took a step forward, her body low and unassuming. She hoped speaking to them now would be permitted. ”I would be happy to go out and look as well.” The shabby woman offered gently. Even in her condition, Raela's senses were well-tuned. Her greatest strength was her ability to perceive, and where better to use it than when finding a missing person, or persons?

Raela dipped her muzzle in acknowledgment as Minka instructed them. She would do her darnedest to find some trace of the little ones. Without ceremony, she turned, moving into the distance with the others. There was purpose in her stride. As Tokino and Inali fell out of view, her search intensified. Raela broke into a brisk trot, splashing slush onto her paws as she went. The woman orange ears rotated like satellite dishes, but they picked up useless things. Her nose had no more luck, and in the places where she stopped to inspect the ground more closely, it got wet and muddy. She cleared her nostrils with a snort, winding through tree trunks as she circled around the ravine. Raela was heading back now, having noted the darkening sky. Still her eyes darted about, and the woman stuck to ridges and hills when she could. She would find these high places and spend a good few minutes just observing, hoping, for a sign of the young royals.

As the sun disappeared, the brown wolf had turned up nothing. The tracks and scents of prey, of other wolves even, but no children. Soon, Tokino and Inali had rejoined her on their trek back to Minka and Cessair. Inali's findings had put some pep in the girl's step; it was the first real sign that the kids were still alive. Raela was relieved, and so glad for her grief-stricken leaders. Minka's discovery doubled her excitement, and Raela was near confident that they were alright. Still, she felt sick knowing that they had passed through here; that they were so close yet so far. As she settled down for the night, her heart and mind raced. She was itching to keep looking, but her weary body was oh so thankful for the rest. Besides, it was better that the group stay together; at least for now.