Lifting my nose to the breeze, I breathed deeply. Mahogany eyes fluttered closed, letting the icy cold zephyr run over my face. When it passed, I remained like that for a moment longer. "Snow," I breathed quietly. Autumn was nearing its end, and like each year before, the heights of Spirane were the first to feel the dip in temperature and see the snow fly. I could smell it on the breeze, the coming of the snows - the first flakes would likely fall that night. The ground was still warm, though, and the white powder would have a hard time sticking to anything below the midline of the mountains, but it would fall nevertheless. A shiver ran down my spine of anticipation, the thickness of my grown in winter coat fluffing out momentarily before settling smoothly against my bodice once more.

Drawing another long breath, I exhaled and lowered my head, setting off at a purposeful jog across the mountain. It was important that I ensure each member was prepared for the changes to come, though everyone but our two young sojourners had endured a Spirane winter before. There were more changes happening in Moladion than the shift of seasons, though, and not for the first time I missed the unpredictable conversations had with Pan about the matters of Moladion's ever shifting power struggle. Aithne had fallen to a challenger - though the lack of a customary summons to fight still kept the change of Iromarian leaders from sitting right with me. The fact that one of the moorland wolves had attempted to kidnap my daughter also put me on edge. Iromar could no longer be trusted. And now Solara had stepped down, the age old bond between the Mountainborns and Angels disrupted. The exchange of leadership had been peaceable, but it still concerned me. Without Diveen, we had no firm allies.

My lack of a Hand weighed heavily upon me now; Pan had left a gaping hole in the ranks when he had retired (as was his right), but his disappearance in the aftermath of my return was more concerning. I had hoped he would do me one last service in helping me distinguish a suitable replacement. But as time had gone on, there was a wolf - whose scent I occasionally came across within the realm - that I had considered for the role.

As it were, I now returned to the last place I had picked up on her scent within the pack lands. She seemed to come and go almost without a trace; with her imprint and daughter living here, I thought little of it. But there was another scent that mingled with hers, one I did not recognize, that piqued my interest. Following the faint trail of her scent, I made my way along the path for some time. Then, all at once, there was a freshness to it, and I sensed that she had meant for me to find her. I doubted that I would have if she hadn't. Pausing, I lifted my head and glanced around, sniffing at the air and sensing her nearby. I waited for her to reveal herself, offering a simple greeting with a welcoming tone to my voice, "Malina."