ardens gardens

There was an allure to the lands that drew Maelstrom away from the den. Something about how the icy tendrils of the north’s freeze seemed to encapsulate the world around him. His too large of paws carry him over stony ground that is slick and sharp. Already he has nearly sliced his tender skin on a few pieces where he had not been careful with where he stepped.

What drew his curiosity today was the sunken volcano and its steamy bowl of water. Already the water levels had risen since he had first spied the place a few weeks back. Looking up to the slopes, trying to figure a way up, his attention is quickly drawn to the crunch of hooves.

His head swivels first to stare at said hooves and then slowly draw his gaze upward until his head is craned all the way back. The… deer? Moose? Caribou? Whatever this guy was, was more massive than his father had ever described a prey animal could ever get. Astounded by the fact that he was given a chance encounter with such a creature, it took a moment for the pup to find his words.

“You!” Maelstrom calls out, uncertain if he should go closer or not.