Apples of my Eye

Balian, while seemingly nonplussed at her sudden appearance, was quick to greet her in return and offered her an apple. Corbie took a bite of the early fruit out of politeness. "I'm doing quite well, Balian, thank you," she told him. "I've been inspecting the orchard and the bees, and it seems that all is on track for a fair season for them both, as long as nothing changes." She crunched the apple up, swallowed, and sat back. "How was the flock today? Any concerns at all?" An unexpected benefit of having an herbivore as a full pack member was how well he integrated into the flocks as well, and could report on pasture conditions in a way that wolves, not being grass eaters, could never have fully understood.