Water sluiced through my fur, cooling my skin to a point that was just on the border of being uncomfortable. But I reveled in it, the way the cold waters invigorated my body and mind. My tail floated on the river's surface, and occasionally I dipped my head and appeared to bite at the water - taking a drink with the motion. Paddling in easy circles, I did not oppose the river's current. But then my darkened ears flicked backwards, the sound of another animal stepping into the water making the wet fur along my hackles bristle slightly. Perhaps I had been too relaxed in my afternoon swim, though even here upon the very fringes of Spirane's realm I felt safe. After all, the noise came from the northern end of the headwaters, meaning whoever or whatever it was had come from within the pack lands. I glanced over my shoulder just as my name was barked to me, and my gaze settled upon the unmistakable form of Tychon. Immediately my hackles smoothed back. I had wondered when, or if, he might come to see me. Moving against the current now, I swam back towards him, the muscles in my legs working hard to push me against the river's flow.

Once I was closer to him, he spoke again, with less of the brazenness that had laced the initial call he had made to get my attention. My eyes narrowed slightly, sizing the young male up. He looked good, healthier and stronger than he had been when he'd arrived. Arthfael may not have been the most ideal host, but he had certainly not done wrong by his guest. Putting in a last burst of strength against the river, I reached the shallows and found my footing once more. Sure to emerge with a bit of separation between us, I braced my legs and shook much of the excess water from my pelage before turning towards Tychon. "So." I said, giving the hanging word a bit more finality as my gaze rested upon him. "You look well, your leg no longer troubles you." Though phrased similarly to a question, it was a statement. I had paid attention to him during his time within Spirane, even if he had not known it.

Despite Arthfael's unorthodox methods of bringing Tychon to Spirane - and keeping him here - I had the sense that it had been the right way to go about things with this wolf. Seeking the aid of a pack was something he likely never would have done on his own, and though he may have survived the winter on his own in spite of his injuries, he never would have come out of it as strong as he was now. "You are free to go, if that is your desire," I stated, making no move to encourage him to go. My gaze averted, looking up to the mountains that towered over us. They were mighty in their own right, but they were made mightier by the pack that dwelled within them. Arthfael saw potential in Tychon, and after the time he had spent here, I could see it too. But he could no longer be forced to stay. Now it was up to him. "Arthfael believes you would make a good scout, perhaps even Vanguard one day," I said, my gaze returning to him as I finished the statement. "But I wonder, what you want for your own future."

Did he truly wish to go, or was there a part of him that wanted to stay? He had the potential to become a valuable asset to the pack, but if he resented us for bringing him here against his will, then maybe things would never work out. That was the challenge with stealing wolves - you always risked bitterness and ill will. But perhaps there would be a reward to reap from the work put into this wolf yet.