When she arrived it looked much the same, only little patches of snow here and there. The youngest Lyall was not reckless, no she kept an eye out, and often would test the air with her nose which was becoming more sophisticated at threading through the array of scents. When she last came to the creek she had not only seen one wolf, but three and had for good reasons avoided it. Now she realized no one was here but her. A calmness settled over her, and a spark of joy. Slowly she descened further down the riverbank, staring at the murky water, and hoping to spot some fish.</blockquote>
![[Image: oaktreebend.png]](http://imageshack.us/a/img560/8696/oaktreebend.png)