It was nice to be free of the trees from time to time. While he loved his home, Yami felt an itch to wander and explore the vast world. Halcyon could sense this in his son but he knew the boy was over protective of him. So, he decided to take a nap, allowing Yami the excuse he needed to leave Taviora. If course, the dark boy had no idea as he padded away from the trees in a random direction. His paws continued to carry him well into the afternoon until the sound of a river stopped him.

Never before had he seen water so angry. It tumbled and thrashed its way through the land aided by the snow melt from the mountains. It was unforgiving, threatening a swift death for any untrained paws that dared near its banks. Yami heeded that warning as instinct told him to stay clear. A dead tree had fallen across the river, is branches constantly suffering the rivers wrath. The boy watched as one of them came ever so close to ripping free of the trunk. An idea came to him then and he smiled at the challenge. He had grown much in the last year, but he was always willing to test himself. Could he run as fast as the raging river itself?

Crouching low, Yami waited as his green eyes watched the branch. Then, with a snap it broke free and was instantly pulled into the waves. The wolf launched into a sprint, his claws tearing at the dirt as he raced along side the water. The stick had managed to take the lead and he lowered his head to gain more momentum. As he ran he had to leap and dodge out of the way of obstacles, each time losing speed. A small waterfall lay ahead, as if Fate had given him a finish line. Panting, his lungs burning, he forced his legs to give it their all. Jumping the last hurdle, he landed on the other side of the waterfall mere moments before the stick fell into the misty pool.

Sides heaving, Yami barked triumphantly before falling to his haunches. If only his father could have seen! The boy was sure he had been just as fast, if not faster than his sire. By now the sun was well past its peak and was slowly starting to make its way towards the west. The shadows were growing long and already the first stars of the night were beginning to wake. He would need to return to Taviora soon, and yet, he found himself wanting to stay out just a little longer. The trees made it difficult to see the night sky and wolf wanted to greet the moon as she rose for her nightly dance.