steeper still

The ground was steep, near vertical in some places, as Hattori carefully picked his way across the canyons cliffs. Smaller rocks and dust shifted, crumbling and making his ears perk as he glanced down at his splayed toes, just to make sure it wasn't about to collapse underpaw. Rheum was a year old now, more than old enough to venture out on her own, but since she had asked for his company he saw no reason to deny her. It was better to scale these places with company, in case something went wrong, than alone. It was not only that the footing was shifty, but the running river below presented more dangers than one might think. The river was usually calm enough, but this season was oddly wet, meaning that the river was deeper and faster flowing than normal. That and it hid pointed, jagged rocks beneath the surface meant it was not suitable for swimming, at least now.

Not that Hattori intended to take another plunge. The last time he'd jumped into water from a great height had been a most unpleasant experience, one he did not intend to repeat anytime soon.

"Take it slow." He warned the wolf in front. "We are not in a rush."