Time trickled by, spring blossoming into summer, and summer giving way to the brilliant blaze of hues that accompanied autumn. There were still wolves left unaccounted for, those I could not track down the whereabouts of despite my best efforts. And while I had made my peace with some losses, others still nagged at the back of my mind. Some of those who had not returned to the mountain had found other homes during the tumultuous year that had passed after my defeat - homes in other packs as well as homes in the freedom of movement around the common lands of Moladion. And while the bare state of the ranks left me with a sense of unease, I would never sink so low as to try to coerce those who had chosen a different path into returning to the mountains against their will. They would forever remain pack to me in my mind and heart, but I could do nothing more than wish them the best in their future endeavors, and turn to those who had returned - or joined us - to fill the vacancies that they left.
In the cover of night I moved throughout the territory, enjoying the respite from the heat of another autumn day. Nymeria had told me that she had extended an invitation to the band of gypsies that wandered Moladion, and that they would be hosting a gathering closer to the end of the season. If all went well, there was the possibility that I may extend further generosity to the wandering band - a place to shelter from the elements in the winter to come. There was a question that lingered in the back of my mind - would all of those recognized as gypsies come to visit in the first place? There had been a party hosted by Tithe and Roman in conjunction with the gypsies, the invitations made merely hours after my defeat, suggesting a further relationship between them. Would they hold a grudge against me for overcoming Tithe to reclaim my rightful place as protector of the mountain? I suppose only time would tell. In any case, I knew the importance of security in the pack lands when so many loners would be coming to visit. Hopefully Sleekwing would have an trainee or two to help keep vigilance during that time, and perhaps it would provide an opportunity for others who felt the call to protect others to shine.
As I jogged along the periphery of the pack lands, checking for unfamiliar scents and strengthening my markings upon the borders, a calling bark was emitted from further north, and inland, along the boundary. My head lifted, nostrils flaring wide as I sniffed heartily at the breeze, but she was downwind of me. Still, there was some familiarity to the voice, and it raised no alarms within my mind. Setting off at a lope, I made my way closer to the unknown caller, refraining from answering immediately. If by some chance this wolf was a threat, I did not intend to tell them from what direction I was approaching only to walk into some kind of trap. There were certainly wolves who felt ill towards me in Moladion - such was the case for any leader. One could not please everyone, and so I was simply concerned with assuring the happiness and safety of those who fell beneath my protection.
Moving among the trees that lined the open area she had placed herself in, I watched the shewolf for a moment. I felt a hint of recognition, and for a moment I nearly mistook her for her mother. But she was slighter of frame, younger to be sure, and did not bear quite the same snow white pelage. Even so, I had seen the girl in her youngest days, and I knew her to be pack to me. Broaching the tree line, I jogged towards her and emitted a bark to announce my arrival, so as not to catch her unawares. Anemone and her family had been one of the missing links that I had been able to find no answer for - no one knew where they had gone, or what had become of them. The idea had occurred to me to seek out Anemone and encourage her aptitude for care giving to grow, so that she might replace the Bard that had been lost to us. Perhaps it was time for me to truly take Niviaq's words to heart, and look to the youth of the pack to provide for our future.