The climb warms my muscles, though a lifetime of making this ascent had sculpted my bodice in a way that allowed me to do so without growing fatigued. Together we moved through the deep snows as we began to work our way upwards, and an occasional sideways glance at Rollo told me that he had no trouble keeping up with me. I had not even thought to check my pace to ensure the rising trail was not too difficult for him, as I might have in another's company. This wolf was strong, though, and so we carried on without delay. He gave little to no reaction when I told him that the trails to the highest of peaks were impassible, and I took this only as that he maybe did not mind so much. It was not a common place thing for me to allow strangers so far within my borders, especially those who were simply passersby. But there was something about this Rollo fellow that incited a gut instinct, that he was an honest sort and worthy of my trust at least in this. Even so, I was still rather curious about him, and so I asked about his travels and what might have brought him here today.

As he begins with a smile, I thought that perhaps it would be a happy tale, in spite of the scars that adorned his chiseled young face. But almost immediately I wondered if I had intruded on something that was hardly any of my business. The slightest pause that preceded his confession of the origin of his travels seemed tentative in nature, and I wondered if I had prodded at an old wound that I should have left alone. He spoke of his brother, Sven, and a lancing emotional pain struck through my chest. My brows lowered with empathy as his story continued, and I realized that I would have to be the one to tell him that it had all been for naught. That Sven had cast himself from a cliff, and despite Swallowbane's searching below he'd never been found. His death was something most uncertain, but to have survived such a fall was improbable at best.

I searched my mind for a way to break this news to him, wondering if after all this time it would be just as painful as if it had happened just after Sven's initial disappearance. I was saved, at least for the moment, by a slight bend in the trail that we followed. We had reached a height where we stood taller than the greatest pines below, and though it was a scant preview of what the world looked like from the true highs of the mountains, Rollo was captivated. Where he had paused to take in the view I had moved just a few strides further up the trail, allowing him the space to take it all in. I caught the breathy words he spoke, and once more I was given to smile. He seemed so taken with my home that I could not help but wonder if, given the choice, he would stay. Of late Spirane's numbers had swelled, but that did not mean that we no longer received new wolves. Prey was plentiful, and sure to be even more bountiful come spring; another strong wolf to help take down meals for the new mothers would be a most welcome addition.

Stepping forward I moved to stand even with him, still allowing a generous amount of space between us, for we barely knew one another. I did not wish to interrupt this moment that Rollo seemed to be having, but after a short while I pulled my eyes from the land that sprawled before us and looked to him. "If it is of interest to you, you could stay until spring; once the snows melt you could visit the peaks before your travels continue." It was an invitation to remain as a guest upon the mountain, for he hardly knew what I was like as an alpha and I knew little of he in return. He'd not concluded his story, and so I did not know if he meant to continue on his way. Deep down I knew that it was my responsibility to tell him what fate it was assumed Sven had met, but I did not want to steal this glorious moment from Rollo.