Ara was still, slowly but steadily, getting used to life in Lirim. Over time, she had gotten quite accustomed to living life as a rogue, and being surrounded by other wolves was something that was taking her time to adjust to. Much to her disappointment - though she didn't dare show it - Athena hadn't been quick to join her as she had expected. Perhaps she wouldn't join at all, but Ara could only hope she would, having grown close to her in their time spent together before deciding to settle down somewhere. At least being around others, even packmates who were still nearly strangers to her, was enough to keep the constant nag of loneliness at bay. Ara knew that she would eventually get to know the wolves that shared the same lands as she did - and she hoped she might be able to offer her skills, whether as a mentor or in the field, whatever was needed.
With spring in full force, and summer not far ahead of them, Ara knew she had to balance time spent within Lirim's lands as well as her own personal time spent in neighboring lands, collecting herbs. Today she was fully prepared, leaving Lirim's borders early in the morning with her tattered satchel in tow, draped loosely down the right side of her body. Ara had gotten used to wearing it now, finding it far more useful than irritating, and oftentimes she felt strange when she couldn't feel it weighing down around her neck. It was better to be prepared than not, even if it meant carrying it when she might not need it. Today, though, she had a feeling it would prove useful - and she was optimistic that her journey would be a fruitful one.
She'd headed west, veering around the southern edge of the deep gorge that lay to the west of Lirim territory and toward a much more fertile section of land, past a vast dried lakebed. The luscious grasses of Sweetgrass Basin could be scented from a long distance away, easily noticed among the scents of the more barren lands of western Boreas. It was no surprise that Ara's interest was immediately and easily piqued. Determined, she pushed on through the warmth of the spring afternoon. By the time she reached the basin, she'd spotted the movement of a stranger through the grasses up ahead. Not wanting to intrude - and, as always, curious as to whether this stranger had a purpose here or was simply passing through - Ara approached slowly, tail hanging low at her flanks. "Good afternoon," Ara called out, somewhat tentatively, as she sought to close the distance between the two of them. If it seemed like she was intruding, she'd gladly leave this woman alone, but part of her hoped she wasn't... some of the scents that reached her nose told her there might be herbs of use to her here, and she hoped she'd get a chance to search properly for some of them.
|
