Although the clouds swept swiftly through the sky, the breeze that the young wolf felt was warm and smooth. It brushed across her cheeks and made her toss her head. Banner grinned as she trotted across the newly-green grass. Perhaps it was folly but she was still flushed with her victory runaway. She was certain her brothers had trailed her for at least a week, but there had been no sight or scent of them for well over a month. Banner was one hundred percent positive of her solitude. The wind-blown grass under Ban’s paws stretched all the down the ridge she was travelling. Prickly scrubs and twisted trees also adorned the landscape. The young wolf cocked her head and thought the roughness of the land was attractive in its own way. The slope started to even out part way down and Banner’s pale fur bristled with energy. Her gangly legs began to stretch before her and she was running. The blur of green and brown rushed by the she-pup, her tongue lolling from the side of her mouth. Her sprint was short lived as the land abruptly began to drop again. Banner leapt off the decline, sliding a good five feet and nearly toppling over before catching her balance. The wolf got her bearings and pranced a quick couple steps of personal congratulations. If her brothers could see her now perhaps they might not think her such a puppy. She could handle any silly old ridge. A light smudge against the landscape Banner padded quickly on her way, spilling over with her own confidence and a goofy smile. b a nn e r as we walked I heard the laughter in the leaves mars 2013