As the snows did melt away from the higher reaches of Spirane, I found the desire to climb among them bursting from my chest. The winter months deprived me of such heights, and my very soul beckoned me to ascend to the very peaks of my home. I made the climb at a steady pace, taking in the sights and smells of my home during this intricate time of the year where the harshness of the cold winter months gave way to new life. Small flowers peeked through the soil, and the grass finally began to hold hues of green once more. Buds of the leaves soon to come dotted the branches of many trees. Nature would be in a full show of its beauty by the time the eyes of the newest children of the mountain opened. Already two mothers had given birth - Ailith and Everlyse. I had yet to visit them and offer my congratulations, but I knew how tender those first few days were, when blind children so desperately depended on their mothers. No, I would wait until they were at least a couple weeks old before I made my rounds, when the pups were able to leave the den and I could meet the newest additions to my pack.

Despite the warmth that spring offered, there were still shadowed places here within the highest altitudes of my home where snow lingered. Its brilliant white accented the terrain of these parts of my home, and it brought a smile to my face as I jogged along, moving ever upwards along the paths that were far less frequented by the pack. The particular destination I moved towards was a secret spot - how secret these days, I could not be sure - a place that had always been a favorite of my immediate family. If ever I could not find Sleekwing patrolling the borders or near his den site, I knew this was where he would be. Swallowbane had spent much of his time up here as well, for he felt closer to our ancestors here. As I moved out onto the wide ledge of rock I glanced up towards the midmorning sky, so perfectly blue and cloudless, wondering if Boneclaw and MoonGlow looked down upon me, if Thunderbone and Alcide lent me their strength from on high. Mahogany eyes slid closed for a moment as I breathed in the crisp air, flooding my lungs with the possibility.

Once more my eyes opened and I looked out across the recesses of Moladion that lay far and away below. There were many cliffs and outcroppings from so high that looked out across the world as I knew it, but this would always be my favorite place. Having made it through their first year of life, soon the time would come for me to show this special spot to my children. I could hardly believe that they had already celebrated their first birthday. Could I not go back to that first week of their lives, when they squirmed at my side and cared for nothing but the warmth of my fur and the nourishment of my milk? How fast they had grown. Would I ever know such love again, as that between a mother and her newborn whelps? My love for my children had only grown with each day that passed, but that feeling that burst the capacity of your heart was something I had never thought I would crave again in my life. My young dragons had not been brought to life intentionally, but would there come a time when I did bring new life unto the mountain from the bonds of love akin to that of MoonGlow and Alcide? My parents and my grandparents before them had been the completion of not only one another's hearts, but one another's souls. I knew that fate had not seen fit to match my soul with someone who craved my heart. Meryl and I...we were friends, and he had Yin. Did fate not see me fit for such bonds as that between two wolves hearts? Had I spurned my chances by joining so briefly with Leonidas, one who believed his soul was incapable of the ties of fate? I pulled my gaze away from the great spector of Moladon laid out before me, looking at my paws as an ache rose up in my chest that had been suppressed for some time now.

When I lifted my head, I cast it towards the heavens and released a long, beautiful song. As the notes rose, echoing out across Spirane and perhaps even heard in the nearby reaches of Moladion, I called out to him. My voice was bereft with feeling, unable to entirely contain that which pressed at my emotions. But it was a call for Jericho, a request for him to join me here, for I wished to share this special place with him. He, the wolf who when all seemed so complicated, could remind me that the simple warmth of one who cared at your side was enough. The call faded from the skies as I lowered my crown, taking a deep breath and sighing softly. I sat down, close to the edge of the precipice, ears flickering to and fro as I waited for a response or for him to simply come. Jericho had shared so much of himself with me that night, when he had confessed all his former sins. With the newness of spring, I wished to reciprocate such a thing, and reveal my own story to him.