Today is the day! I had planned and prepared for my springtime trip with the yearlings for two entire seasons and now it was finally here. Amoxtli and Shiloh’s ceremony had gone over beautifully, of which I could be no more proud, and the release of winter has all of the pups itching to explore. Lucky for them I am here to take them on such a trek!

I had been bustling about and speaking with all of the children that I could find, of course making sure that their mothers were fine with it as well, and had kept a mental checklist of who was attending. They were aware that I would be calling for them come spring and today they better have their listening ears working. With a large, gaping yawn I emerged from my den among the hollowed tree and stretched long and tall. Joints popped with relief and my muscles began to warm up for the day’s agenda.

Sunlight filters through the newly blossoming trees and the serene sound of songbirds and the babbling stream put my soul at ease. I shake myself off, dust and small debris flying into the rays of sunshine, before I am off jogging with a giddy kick in my step. My posture is perfect, paws placed so carefully along the grass and leaf covered earth, and my tail held confidently at my rear. My path is made toward the common areas of Taviora, where most of the younglings cared to venture, and with a drawn out howl called into the air I summoned them to me.

My notes carried onward with the breeze until finally fading out as lilac eyes returned to the woodland surroundings. I eagerly waited for each of them to arrive, giving a pleasant nod and pretty smile when they scampered in one by one. Once I was certain that all were accounted for I began my introduction in a chipper tone. ”Goodmorning yearlings! I am Namira, your guide for your first spring excursion. We will be heading to the Enocra Woodland to learn of how different it is from our home, despite it being ‘just another forest’. All not always what it may seem; lesson number one,” I wink with a beaming smile down upon them. ”Now let’s go!” my nimble bodice is pivoted around as I begin to jog leisurely away from them, my head tipped back for a moment to ensure that they follow diligently. I do not wish to outpace them though, only to keep at an even speed so that we may all travel in one synchronized mass, me being near to the center of course.

Our path is angled toward the direction of the southeast as we continue onward through the unnamed lands between Taviora and Enocra, my eyes switching to the pups every now and then to gauge their level of intrigue. It is only when our sights are first set upon the trees of Enocra that an exuberant smile overrides my features. ”We are here, children!” it is exclaimed. I slow my gait into a walk as my group nears the border of the new woodland. ”At this point, we are at the northern most tip of the forest, the part nearest to Taviora. To the northeast it is closer to the meadow pack, Asteraia, and to the southwest it borders upon Mecor Valley. Diveen is nearest to its southeastern region. Which area would you like to explore first?” I explain the generalized directions of the woods before allowing them a chance at taking initiative.