A Momentary Rest

Kuwindwa didn't quite expect the level of emotion her simple answer garnered from the pup. He did a far better job of sympathizing with others than Kuwindwa had in a very long time. By now it was safe to say her heart was frozen - encased in ice for her own sake. It was a wall of protection she had placed there herself. She was afraid what might happen should it crumble. But she noted the fallen look in his blue eyes - the first time he had looked anything other than overjoyed. It was such a marked change, Kuwindwa was almost sorry for telling him. A small piece of that icy armor cracked, then fell away when he asked her in his simple way if she might be lost and whether he could help. Any prior irritation she may have felt - however mild - drifted away.

For the first time, a proper smile spread across the woman's pointed muzzle, though it was brief. Kuwindwa shook her head slightly, just as she had before. What did one tell a child eager to help, but unable to? Nevertheless, she was touched by his willingness to lend her aid, even if it was only because he was a wide-eyed pup. "Oh, I am so very far from home, I'm afraid there is little you might do to help me, Psalm," she spoke in the same even tones she had from the beginning, but there may have been the slightest spark of amusement in her voice. "But thank you, young one. It is very kind of you to wish to help me." And that was it. She couldn't have him asking any more questions, so now she proceeded in another direction of conversation.

Guided by his own questions and the clues she could scent on him, Kuwindwa asked, "Is this your home, Psalm?" The woman knew, of course, that this particular spot was not. She'd have known if she were any closer to a pack's borders. But she wanted to hear the boy say it. To turn the conversation onto and about the child. Such was a far safer topic, less likely to grow uneasy (though by now she doubted the boy would note it).

Here she had thought to rest alone... but she was neither irritated or sad that it had been interrupted. Maybe this was another kind of rest. She was nearly at ease again, safe as she had ever felt since fleeing the Pack for her life.