The mountains were said to call wolves instead of waiting to be explored; and they did. Their alluring pinnacles of white reflected in Grimoire’s eyes as she loped towards them, finally scaling their bases after coming from the far edge of Taviora. She had passed them before and watched them from a distance, never drawn to the shadows of their mighty valleys. But then she heard the voice that filled her paws with an itch. It was as if a fishing line had been cast from the spiralling rocks and buried a barbed hook into her sternum. Grimoire perhaps had unconsciously recognized the posture of expected battle in the gray female she’d seen cross enter Spirane confidently, but it was entirely a delightful surprise to the sienna and black female’s conscious thoughts when she heard the challenge initiated.

With the pack’s attention on the battle, Grimoire could answer the mountain's summoning without worrying about detection. Her scent, too, couldn’t give her away entirely. As a loner, her fur was thick with wilds from many areas, even though a wolf might detect she was female. When the winning wolf initiated their dominance, Grimoire’s scent would have blended into the coldness of the elevation, and easily overlooked. This was the perfect time for spying. The realization caused her to shiver with obsession to know things! Locations of dens, medical supplies, meetings areas, and shortcuts! Perhaps she’d never invade Spirane, but she certainly could take advantage to steal something she may need… or not.

And she wanted to see the battle, too. There was no greater display of strength than the desperation of holding on to the flimsy desire to be in charge - every wolf believed they were best suited for the job. The paths of Spirane were winding and difficult, but she weaved her way steadily in the direction of the fight. She began to scale a particularly steep incline, when her fur stiffened in unease. The aroma of salt and water confused her; she was not near a sea, was she? But then… often on the unseen side of mountains was an ocean. The breeze could be carrying the salty scent towards her.

She shrugged, and then noticed with delight, entirely forgetting the ocean, a dark shadow in the midst of the boulders. It was a den. Oo. Grimoire tip toed towards it with a fiendish grin on her muzzle. She carefully inspected the opening, her nose twitching continuously as she checked to see if there was a wolf home. When there was none, she slipped into the shade, morphing her tall frame to the curves of the den. What supplies or surprises would she find in this den? It was surprisingly airy; maybe it was larger than the opening let on? But she didn’t stay long to find out, having located a rare bundle of sage. She picked up in her jaws and trotted out of the den with her tail waving behind her, only to startle when her eyes recognized a wolf on the path she’d come from. Her eyes widened and her limbs froze.