Sleekwing lifted his head towards the call that echoed out across the mountain, coming from on high. He recognized her voice from the first note, and a small smile crept onto this features. So she had finally conquered the summit? The Castellan of the mountain was proud of his friend, knowing it was a feat the midnight femme had aspired to. Her song lifted, inviting him to join her, and Sleekwing chuckled softly to himself. He set off to meet her unspoken challenge, moving at a steady lope as he worked his way up trails he had followed since his youth. It was astounding to think that it had been eight years since his family had taken up residence within the peaks and valleys that were the remnants of Solevion’s range. Spirane had practically welcomed them home, the turf molding around their paws like a warm hug. As the years had passed little had changed, and he had never even considered leaving this place. The mountains were a part of him, and no matter what he would always remain. He had proved as much during the rocky attempted reigns of Purge and Snowshoe.

The months spent deluded by fever dreams and weakened by illness had taken much from him, the musculature fading from his body and leaving a bag of bones that appeared much older than his eleven years. But in the time that had passed since Kiyomi and he had returned to the mountain, Sleekwing had quickly regained the lost weight. Though his ribs still protruded the slightest bit, it was in a healthy manner, beneath a glossy coat that was beginning to thicken as the temperatures dropped. Soon winter would be upon them, and to follow these higher altitude trails would become dangerous. Although snow had begun to accumulate atop the peaks, but in a matter of weeks the summit would become unreachable. The warrior was glad that Kiyomi had tackled its height now, and not any later in the season.

Despite his loping patrols of the borders and routine climbs through the steep passes at lower altitudes, his breath still came short as he neared the peak. He had to silently remind himself that this climb had always been a challenge, that no wolf could ascend the summit without at least a little weariness. He had not called out an answer to her, instead merely appearing around the bend of the only trail that lead to where she waited for him. For a moment he was reminded of a time when he had brought another wolf here, one with a snow white pelt who he had counted as a close friend. A friend he had cared deeply for, but whom he felt he had lost to the whims of her heart. He pushed the memories aside, instead focusing on the bright face of Kiyomi as he came to stand beside her.

He pushed his nose into her shoulder in greeting, smiling at her as he withdrew and pivoted to stand side by side with her. Together they looked out across the expanse of land to the east as the sun slowly lifted away from the horizon. Its rays danced across the endless sea, painting beautiful hues across the sky and water alike. For this moment in time he did not really feel that words were necessary, and he simply took in the view, a smile pulling at the corners of his maw. Slowly his breathing returned to normal, and he was glad to simply take in this spectacle at the side of his friend.