Sometimes Eskil felt like he was close, that just past the next grove or over the next hill he'd finally find his sister. Other times, it felt like he was lost in the middle of nowhere and Oula might as well be on another continent. More and more the feeling of the latter took place, though it didn't trouble him much. He'd been operating under the assumption she'd been dead for nearly two years. Whatever grief, frustration, betrayal and other emotions that had taken place since she'd left the battalion had long since fizzled out. His pack was gone, and wherever she was, Oula was the only thing he had left now. Maybe it was a fools errand, but it gave him purpose.
Eskil's breath curled out from his parted maw in white whisps to join the snow-flecked air. He walked a slow and steady pace, toes spread wide to keep him balanced over the deep snow. A small lilt could be found in his step, the tendon of his front paw still aching from the incident weeks ago. Maybe if he could find a healer to look at it... but honestly, all he needed was some rest. He'd left the stream behind, taking a chance going west and entering the cedarwood forest. The land was flatter here, the undergrowth more sparse and thankfully easier to navigate through. Especially after slipping down a hill and nearly falling into Heartleaf Creek just the day before.
It came as a surprise when Eskil was confronted by a sheer white cliff rising towards the sky. A formidable obstacle, and one that he'd have to figure out a way around safely. It would be a long way around, and he'd have to find a spot to climb up that didn't risk him slipping yet again, seeing as his foot wasn't as dependable as it should be. He walked towards the limestone palisade, noticing the small caves scattered at the base. Cautiously he approached one of the larger caves, poking his nose inside and peering into the dark.