Morning dawned brightly over Elk's Crown, drenching the forest floor in dappled light as it filtered through the dense trees overhead. Nen'tah watched the shadows dance all around him, ears pricked forward in studious concentration. It was mesmerizing; the swaying movement of the trees coupled with the wind-shaken leaves made for an almost hypnotic show, and he was wholly enraptured.

Until a branch snapped.

The boy's head turned toward the direction of the sound. Someone coming home? Something to play with? He wandered forward on the awkward, uncoordinated legs of a pup, skinny tail wagging just enough to show he was very, very interested.

Oh!

He knew this smell. Like plants - no - strong plants - it belonged to the short woman with the white paw.

What could she be up to, he wondered as he approached.