Walk | Talk | Think
With the new claim on the territory he and his family had taken refuge in, Rune was hard pressed to keep up with its initial start up demands. Borders had to be set up, monitored regularly to enforce them, and watched for those who might be eager to test the mettle of a new leadership figure. Though he had brought it all upon himself, there was no denying the fact that Rune was a bit on edge because of it. He was out of practice, capable but rusty, and the last thing he wanted was his claim on Secretua being challenged, or worse, lost. He had too many family members who needed his protection, too many lives at stake to allow himself to falter right here at the starting line. So he devoted himself to watching them, encouraging other patrols but still filling his days with walking them and fulfilling his role as Guardian.
It never would have crossed his mind that his first confrontation might have been with a child. He had been walking across the border that closed off the Prairie from the rest of the world, reestablishing a scent where it needed it and following those that dared to venture inward before realizing their folly or deciding against it and leaving. Not once yet had he actually ran into anyone contesting his claim, but the second his frosty blue eyes alighted on the young girl's mostly dark figure standing there at the borderline he was raising his head and tail with authority, allowing a soft growl to sound in the back of his throat as he cut a direct path to intercept the would-be intruder.
Only when he was closer and realized the wolf in question was still young, evident by her stature and gangly appearance, did Rune stifle his growl, allowing leniency there though his eyes remained narrowed and his expression stern. He chuffed lowly as if to announce himself - though he wondered how he might be missed in a place mostly flat and expansive - and eyed the girl with a confused mixture of uncertainty and disbelief. A child? Of all the wolves to find upon his border... "You're awfully close to trespassing," Rune warned, though his heavy, serious tone was not altogether unkind. "Why are you here?" No need to tiptoe around it, though he did hope she had not intended to do some snooping before he had shown up.
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