Gent was not the only wolf from the Notch that was out exploring today. The tenacious hunter to be, was also out for a stroll. Not to enjoy the recent snap of cooler air, but to investigate. The shadowy woods to the south of her home was a source of interest for the wolf. Gent had once mentioned offhandedly to her in conversation, that there was a time in his life when he and a previous pack, called the forest home. As a region where Jynx had yet to fully explore, she saw no reason not to check the old haunt out herself. Double the fact that the area might hold some potential for reasonable hunting. Ever intent on tracking and memorizing the many game trails and patterns of her prey, she was utilizing her skill set to the maximum by veering off the beaten path, to ensure the pack had alternatives, should their hunting ground of choice fail to provide. Keeping a watchful eye on the beasts they feasted on, by monitoring their numbers, health and locations, was a crucial component in a hunters life.
Unknowingly following the path of her dark King, Jynx was focused not on the scent of other wolves, but of prey. Any traces left in the air were stale...at least several days old. But the well defined set of multiple hoof prints in the dirt, was a sure sign that a group of Elk had passed through recently. Coming to a stop beside the tracks, she bent down to sniff the earth. Inhaling the musty scent, while simultaneously evaluating what the information gave her.
Females. Two older, three in their prime. One showing signs of a possible tooth infection. She snorted softly, the air pushing from her nose just strong enough to stir the leaf litter at her paws. Sharp yellow eyes narrowed as she swung her head to the right, slightly. Jynx felt that there wasn't any rush to track down the group any further. She knew where they had been, their numbers and their general state of health. The one that may be ill, would only deteriorate further over time, making her a perfect target in the future.
What she had not expected upon entering this forest, was how dark and foggy it would be. The sky was nearly blocked out by the thick tangle of overhead branches and leaves of the trees. Almost no light at all filtered in to the ground. The mist around her legs was thick, making it difficult at times, to see exactly where she was going. Not put off by this minor nuisance, Jynx simply dealt with it by taking it slow, feeling how the ground shifted or sloped in any given direction. She then adjusted her footing accordingly. As she picked her way steadily through the thick, dim forest, a set of two familiar scents reached her nose. She recognized Gent's instantly and with it was...Emrys'. As if re-animated, Jynx snapped her head up, eyes bright, tail beating in a steady wag. What wonderful timing! She would love to see how the two males, so contrasting in coloration, got on with one another. And she would never turn down the chance to mingle with her Alpha, or her friend.
Increasing her strides just slightly, she tracked them down, eager to find out what they were up to. Due to the low visibility, courtesy of the fog, she couldn't see them, but she could now hear their distant voices. Curiosity taking a firmer hold, the flame colored wolf had grown lax in watching her footing over the terrain. The sudden curve of a hill downwards took her by surprise. Where she expected to feel solid earth, there was nothing but slick grass and mud, made damp by the moisture of the mist. Her left hind leg buckled awkwardly, jolted to the side. The same leg she had injured nearly a year ago. Fresh pain seared through the muscle and the joint of her ankle, which protested angrily. Clenching her teeth together in a silent hiss, Jynx had to bite her tongue from crying out. Only when she had recovered from her stumble, did she attempt to place her paw back in it's natural position. But that was a no go, as a sharp stab of pain forced her to withdraw the instant she bore weight on it. Unaware of how close she had gotten to Gent and Emrys by now, this time she did not hold back a swear.
"God damn it! Jynx you idiot!"