Auroras

Sitting atop one of the massive fallen trees that rested in the shadows of it's still living kin, Ignatius was surveying the area around him with the intention of studying the movements of the local herd of elk that tended to wander through the great redwoods. He cut a striking figure as always, the flame-hued pelt easily seen from quite a ways away. Birds chirped and fluttered around nearby while he remained still, watching the clearing the elk normally appeared in at this hour. When the howl rang through his territory, Ignatius hesitated for a moment. Duty always called when he was occupied with other things. Humph. Best not to keep the caller waiting though.

Bounding through the snow-dusted landscape was becoming easier with each passing day. It was like training on sand, only significantly colder. When he finally spotted the grey and ivory man at the border Ignatius approached with a friendly demeanor, tail wagging a few times and expression pleasant as he called out, "Greetings, stranger. What brings you to calling at my border this fine winter day?"