Sentinel on the Trail

He was observant. She was spooked, cautious, and had jumped visibly at Chrystal’s arrival. But she did introduce herself, and he nodded easily, good-natured smile warming his features. At her query, he gave a brief puzzled hum, before he realized she meant his armor.

“Oh! No battle. I just don’t tend to go without it often unless I’m off duty at home. When travelling it’s best to be prepared. We wolves aren’t the largest predators out there, and my armor’s saved me from a few nasty wounds, though not this set.”

He stretched his forelegs, toes wiggling to show the sharpened bear claws attached to the toe-covers of his bracers. “I also use these for skinning deer and other hunting kills, as well as having an edge in a fight. Makes the more delicate parts of the chore easier, so I don’t damage the hide. If I space my toes right the claws make good slices of meat for drying and making jerky.”

He was cheerful, aware of the good quality of what he’d made, though he added, “They’re my first bracers I ever made, so I could probably use to make them better now that I’m more experienced in the craft.”

She was still cautious, so he didn’t press for any information from her. She seemed… almost at war with herself. One breath she seemed almost wanting to relax, the next she’d tense as though suddenly reminded that he was a possible threat. He could understand that. He was larger than she, and she was a lone female for all intents and purposes.

Not knowing her actual past, he could still guess it was possibly similar to Malalia’s. But her accent was wrong for having been anywhere around Lia’s past. They shared no similarities that he could pin down.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think