two way street

As a wandering spirit, Ryka wasn't keen on staying in any one place for very long. She still had so much more of the Lore to see, so much more to learn of it's wild wilderness and the inhabitants. In the first few weeks since her arrival, she had lingered in the Western region, where she felt comfortable, yet by no means settled. Naturally curious and with a strong taste for adventure, she eventually obeyed the instinct to set out again. Where she was going, she hadn't the faintest clue. Her paws would lead the way, taking her down unknown, unexplored paths. With very few acquaintances, she was left to explore alone. She had no family, no friends, and no pack. The Tiaroth princess was homeless.

If there was one positive note in all this, then it had to be that she at least knew what she had to do. And that was to meet any faces she could of the numerous packs dotted throughout this wild land. Be they Alpha or subordinate, it didn't matter to her. All she wanted was information...a little bit of history of what was her new home. Nothing more. With that, she would in time choose a more permanent place to settle, within the throngs of a pack. Due to her past experiences with all of her failed attempts to find her niche though, she wasn't rushing the process this time. Getting to know her backyard first seemed like the wisest choice. Her rich brown ears flattened down against the fur of her head, eyes shattered at the memory of treason her cousin had committed. Her family and all she had ever known, gone. An entire bloodline virtually wiped off of the face of the earth.

There was only one direction in which she could go now. Up. Both spiritually and physically, it seemed. She hadn't noticed the change from smooth, even ground, to uneven, rocky terrain until a misstep jolted her back to reality. Catching her footing, she swore silently, thankful that she had not strained a muscle, or worse, broke a bone. "What is wrong with me?" She shook her head, trying to gather her thoughts? "You've been at this for too long to let your memories get in the way." Looking up ahead, she noticed the great expanse of foothills set out before her. Higher and higher they rolled, at a gentle slope. From pure experience alone, she knew that a mountain range likely wasn't too far away. While never a huge admirer of the unforgiving peaks, she had crossed a few ranges during her time. And to get to what lay on the other side, she'd have to do it again. Sighing, she stepped forward and begun her climb, navigating the rough terrain cautiously. The dim light of the late afternoon sun was fading fast, and with nightfall closing in, she was in for a challenge. Staying the night purely for safety was the only apparent option, for the moment.