The Grotto had a more… sinister reputation to uphold. It was no secret for those who lurked in the shadows their masks and cloaks of darkness were supplied in spades in this commonplace. It was certainly not a place for an Angelic Princess of Diveen to be lurking. Yet, here she was. Dull yellow eyes hard against the darkness both peering into and out of the shadows as if trying to absorb their secrets through her pupils.

Vitaliya had begun her task early in the day, beginning in the northern most cracks and crags that eventually morphed into the Grotto. She followed the winding streams that were still young and had not yet made their deep marks on the rocks’ surface. The deeper she went into the holes in the ground the more frustrated the russet wolfess became. Her growing agitation apparent only by the narrowing of her hard gaze. Pulling herself out of the caves she looked up at the midday sun. Her white ruff bristled and she nearly hissed her curse to time. Back in Diveen, she had left her charge with her brother, hoping he would keep Moteuh in good company. But she could only trust the blind boy so much. Releasing her fury with a controlled breath, she continued her trek, this time keeping to the open and following the trails. Every sense she possessed was a alert and studying the terrain around her, not even completely certain she knew what she was looking for. Eventually she came to a crossroads where the Grotto opened up to the mixed marshes of Iromar and Glorall. Her tail lifted as the rest of her seemed to sharpen with a growing attentive intensity.

Nostrils flared wide and she stepped into the deep marshes, ignoring the cold. Dead and dried cattails crackled as she moved between them. She moved like a silver and ruby gem gleaming amongst the muck. The dirt seemed to not dare to touch her face of her sides, keeping only to the black of her paws and legs. She moved back and forth through the glades, watching the way the earth moved around her until at last she broached the borders of Iromar. At last her narrowed eyes looked up, narrowed, and appeared the lance through the pack land. If anyone could have seen straight through the territory, it would have been Vitaliya. Her lips curled back, revealing her ivory fangs. This was where she had been looking for all day. Now she just needed to know why.