I'd proved a long time ago that I was Glorall's best hunter, and over the last year I'd put in the extra effort to fulfill the other half of my role as Trapper - master thief. At first it had been a strange concept, sequestering wolves from the free lands back to Glorall. It hadn't taken me long to catch on; in reality it was kind of like I was hunting these loners - but not in the sick way that the wolves of the northeast were rumored to hunt wolves. No, it was more like I was hunting information, and then herding those worthy back to Glorall. Today, however, I was out on a different type of tracking mission. A pup of our pack had gone missing, and the length of her absence had become worrying. Honestly I wasn't sure if I'd find the kid alive, she'd been gone all winter. Besides, pups weren't really my thing. But it was a job to do to keep me busy, and another way to prove my worth to the pack.

My course was a winding one, weaving wide arcs back and forth as I made my way through the forested edge of Glorall. I moved quickly, though, doubtful I would pick up her scent this close to home. And honestly, if she had been so close to the pack lands and her mother hadn't been able to find her herself well than maybe she wasn't strong enough to be a member of Eden's pack. I set an even, flowing pace as I further distanced myself from the borders of my home, my jogging gait a movement I would be able to keep up all day without tiring. I wanted to cover a fair bit of distance today, perhaps getting as far north as Spirane if I didn't pick up any sign of the kid before then.

The first destination I reached that morning was the grotto, and I hastily moved through some of the easily accessible tunnels and caverns. An assortment of scents assaulted my nostrils, but the smell of decaying meat pushed me up and out of the bowels after only an hour of searching. If she was really lost in the lower caves then the type of wolves that tended to take up residence there had probably made quick work of her. I'd rather return and tell the mother I'd found nothing than bring back a pile of bones that carried her scent. Better for everyone, really. The path I exited by brought me up into the craggy landscape that fell away from Ruieze Lake, and I set to searching with fresh air filling my lungs once more.

Weaving back and forth, I made my way up the rocky escarpments. It was midday when I decided to take a break, moving towards a pool of water formed by the small waterfalls that randomly spilled down the crags. White speckled paws stepped right into the shallows of the pool, head lowering to lap at the refreshing liquid. Multi-toned green eyes looked up across the water, and as I drank I noticed a slight curve in the rock face. Lifting my head I narrowed my eyes, wondering if the path continued around the side. Splashing through the shallows to the other side of the pool, I jogged around the corner and found myself looking down at an outcropping of rock. The curve of the rock face provided a perfect wind break. And low and behold, a scraggly white pup with a brownish black splotch of coloring over her shoulder was curled up right in front of me. My brows lifted in surprise, and amusement. "Hey kid, you lost?"