Unhurried, we moved through the rolling foothills. Though we had moved significantly inland from the pack’s borders, our steps still kept us in the shadow of the mountain. Continually I found myself enjoying Praetor’s company, his general conduct easy to get along with and peaking my interest in him and his home. The last time I had visited Glorall it had been to spar with Tesseract’s daughter, Cersei, in preparation for the fight I would later win to reclaim my throne. Maybe it was time I visited the seaside dwelling once more, and spent time with an old comrade. It would be good to see the salty king again, to muse with him over all that had happened since last we had met. Once he had told me my parents would be proud of me and that I reminded him of even himself. In the back of my mind I couldn’t help but wonder from time to time what others thought of the wolf I had become.

While I pondered the idea of visiting Glorall once more myself, I gave consent to Praetor for the idea. Of course I was given to question the circumstances of the visit, but in truth I was already on board with the idea. His nod gives way to his confirmation that he would take full responsibility for the youth of my pack while they romped through his. I like the way he thinks, to make it a learning experience for the children as well as a chance to explore and play. He mentions that as the seasons fade towards winter it is much too cold for such a thing to be enjoyable now, suggesting instead that he return in spring to gather them himself and escort them back to Glorall. Warm consensus glows in my eyes as I make to respond, but just as my lips part to vocalize my concurrence, a bark resonates from above and behind us.

Ears flick backwards immediately, and my eyes break away from Praetor’s to cast a glance over my shoulder at the approaching form of Cae. I had recognized his voice immediately, though it was one that I did not hear often upon the mountains. Since his decision to remain here with his sister, I had hardly seen him. It was not uncommon for wolves of the mountain to withdraw into themselves and the terrain, for this land was one of the best to foster such habits. It was easy to get lost among the peaks and see no other living soul for days. My steps paused, curious if perhaps something had happened to draw him down from the mountain peaks into our company. But as he grew closer I realized he only wished to keep our company, and I offered him a welcoming smile. My business with Praetor was all but taken care of, and there was no reason that the three of us could not enjoy one another’s company if our guest wished to remain with us past what was required of the discussion he had brought.

As he descended to meet us he approached from the side, and as soon as he was even with us I moved forward once more. I glanced back to Praetor, my knowing gaze assuring him I had not forgotten the question he had asked, before flitting back to Cae as he greeted us with the smallest of smiles tracing his lips. “Hello Cae,” I said, allowing a moment for Praetor to greet my pack mate as well if he wished. Cae relaxed into stride with us, and then I turned my eyes back to Praetor once more. “So it shall be, then,” I said with a nod of my head. “I think someday soon I shall have to visit Tesseract and your sandy home once more,” I commented, slowly shifting the conversation towards something more casual, and I turned my attention momentarily to my other side, where Cae walked. “Have you ever visited Glorall, Cae?” I wished to include him in the conversation, if both males were so inclined as to continue such interaction.