The glinting red of the shiny fruits had long since vanished beneath a blanket of snow. This the tawny woman knew before she came, but it wasn't food she was seeking in the cherry orchard. No. She was seeking the same wolf she had been seeking from the start. Elusive as ever, she caught no sight or scent of Rhysis. She needed him, now more than ever, and yet... He simply wasn't there. Had she lost her mind? Had he never existed to begin with? Were her children the result of immaculate conception or simply another figment of her imagination. At times, she feared she was going mad. Her legs were aching, she couldn't remember the last time she had stopped to rest, and so, as her eyes fell upon the bare branches of the singular tree atop a small rise, she couldn't resist the urge to go and seat herself at its base, and allow her thoughts to wander. She had come through the wildwood and thought she had smelled traces of him there, but she was not game enough to venture closer to Swift River than was necessary. Perhaps she could check with Triell to see if her large and friendly friend had seen sight or sniff of him. Could she lay on him that burden? Probably not. He was never a fan of Rhysis to begin with. Which drew to her mind a second thought. What if... What if indeed. She had caused the River wolves enough pain as it was. She could not bring herself to force more upon them. With a weary sigh, she slid down to her stomach, the snow dampening her thick coat, but not enough to cause a chill. Her undercoat saw to that. Her stomach niggled in protest, but she was no stranger to hunger. She could last a few more days yet. |
![[Image: chase.gif]](http://u.cubeupload.com/becuffin/chase.gif)
![[Image: naira_by_becuffin-dawj8rp.png]](http://orig15.deviantart.net/3a83/f/2017/023/4/a/naira_by_becuffin-dawj8rp.png)