Caliber Rounds

A quiet frown crossed his expression. He had a feeling, judging from the attentive-not-attentive expression as he’d been speaking, that she’d tuned him out somewhere in the talk. Couldn’t be sure where, but it brought a soft sigh of disappointment. He didn’t want to put teeth to her, but he would if he felt she wasn’t getting the picture.

She had at least been paying enough attention to give a correct answer. He nodded quietly and stepped around the wall, gazing out. “Gather information. Plan your infiltration, work with the land. Pay attention to the surroundings, wind, and the scents they carry. Pay attention to the wildlife. Birds will spread the word if they see anything out of place. And try to work things into your favor. Never engage another wolf in a fight when you’re closed in and can be backed into a corner, unless you’re much, much smaller than the wolf and can squeeze out of a tight spot, or you aren't given time to choose. And always try to have backup.”

His head lowered, taking in the scents. Valor’s was the oldest, though not by much. Creed’s layered on top of it. They were both stale. He trailed the path, letting Justice follow, and keeping carefully to one side of the trail to avoid marring the scents further and allowing her to study them as well.

Eventually they drew upon the Sparse Pines, with younger trees, and a newer scent joined theirs, around the same time as Valor’s, with Creed’s over top. Here he stopped, waiting for Justice to catch the change, as well, and prompting, in case she hadn’t, “There, do you smell anything different?” As he waited, he turned his head slightly, still toward her, but angled in such a way that he could scan their surroundings, to the north in particular, without being too obvious. Well. As inconspicuous as one could get with a bright red coat.

Once she'd noted anything she'd noticed, they would move on into the Pines, and keep following the trail.