As we moved along the trail, slowly ascending the lower portion of the mountain, I questioned him about his homeland. The nod of his head and wag to his tail confirmed my suspicions, and I smiled back at him. It was good to know; and interesting as well. Iblis had apparently begun to surround himself with a good group of wolves, and I found myself fond of this Reich fellow who now kept my company. It was nice to know that a wolf of the plains had come simply to see the peaks, to perhaps make the acquaintance of a mountain wolf. The only thing that troubled me about Asteraia was their affiliation with the band of brothers to which the one named Fenrir belonged. But I would not harbor any grief against them as a unit; for I only knew of the black one and pieces of his history, and the injustices he had laid against my brother Taliesin – his son.

Reich’s invitation to visit was met with a flowing wave of my own banner, showing my pleasure. “I would like that very much,” I said with a smile. Perhaps in the coming seasons I would call upon Reich himself to show me around the plains pack land, as I did for him now here amongst the mountainous region. We made our way continuously upwards; long, slow, winding trails carrying us ever towards the sky. It was when the foliage that disguised the edge of the path gave way to an open view that we came to a stop, and Reich was allowed to look out across the lands. Not only that of Spirane below us, but many bits and pieces of Moladion beyond could be seen from this height. The look of awe on my companion’s face made me wish that the climb to the highest peak was not quite so arduous, for I would love for him to see the vastness of the lands that we called home, to see how the reaches of the far sea extinguished on the horizon, melding almost seamlessly with the sky.

As it were, we were not even midway up the mountain. My grin broadened as he looked to me with fascination lighting up his eyes. When he had taken it all in, I moved forward once more, guiding him onwards. But we would ascend no further, for surely he would want to return him before nightfall. Instead, I cut inward, leading him through a wooded area until we reached a clearing. I jogged across the clearing, and before us two peaks of the mountain swooped down to make a small valley. Within it was a small, pristine alpine lake, formed from the glaciers of old and snowmelt of each season. I led him forward to the lake and lowered my dais to take a drink of the crisp, cool water. When I had parched my thirst, I turned back to Reich, wondering what he might think of the wonders Spirane had to offer.