stay awhile and listen

it was not late, but it certainly felt like it.

the afternoon had lulled into a quiet early evening. brief flickers of the stars were in the violet-blue sky above, streaks of pink still visible. most of the wolves made their dens at the ship, and Heloise had signed up to patrol while they slept. her own den was back in the pines but she did not mind doing what she could. she'd rested enough; borders did not wait for you to be prepared. the words of many Winterfell wolves she had met resonated within. an attack by the ones who had lost their land was still possible. she could never let down her guard.

heaving herself over the ship's side, she gracefully ignored the ice and jumped where the snow was instead. Heloise was getting more used to this territory. she knew the ins and outs. she knew where to step, where not to step and whose den was whose. it was becoming apparent she was doing what she could for Winterfell, but she didn't care if her efforts weren't rewarded. Squire was an acceptable rank for her. the wolves that denned here were settling for the upcoming night, though, and she tiptoed through the ship as quietly as possible.

finding a patch of old rug material in one of the ship's wider rooms, Heloise paused to recline. the scent told her it wasn't claimed but maybe... just maybe she could find a use for it. as she thought more, there were footfalls nearby. her head turned but she saw no one. perhaps they were just passing by.