Evergreen had always enjoyed flowers. Even when she’d been young enough to appreciate their colors, she’d found their fragrances far more interesting. Some were sweet enough to notice from several paces away, while others required more effort. She’d learned to recognize more than a few over the years, although there were still some that managed to stump her. Not that she minded. There was something pleasant about having a little mystery left in the world, especially at her age.

She’d come across the little patch of flowers that morning while wandering through what seemed to be a field. Most of the surrounding landscape had already begun to surrender to the colder weather, with frost clinging to the grass in shaded areas and a sharpness to the breeze that promised winter wasn’t far away. Still, tucked along the sheltered side of a rocky slope, a few stubborn wildflowers had managed to hold on. Their fragrance had caught her attention as she passed, and curiosity had drawn her closer. She’d spent some time investigating the little patch, lowering her muzzle to inspect the blossoms and occasionally brushing against them with her whiskers. There was something familiar growing among them, although she couldn’t quite place it.

Eventually, the elderly wolf settled herself in a patch of dry grass with a quiet sigh, grateful for the opportunity to rest her aching joints. Traveling through the Alpines wasn’t quite as easy as it had been when she was younger, and she’d learned to appreciate a good resting place when she found one. The rocks offered some protection from the wind, and the weak afternoon sunlight felt pleasant against her fur. She wasn’t in any hurry, after all. For once, she had nowhere she needed to be and nobody expecting her. It was a strange sort of freedom, one she was beginning to appreciate.

A familiar scent drifted toward her, and Evergreen lifted her head. There it was again. She leaned forward, searching through the grass with her nose until she found a small cluster of flowers. The fragrance reminded her of somewhere she’d lived many years ago, although she couldn’t quite place where. Goddess, there had been so many places, hadn’t there? So many different homes, so many faces she’d once known as well as her own. She wondered how many of those places were still standing, or whether the flowers she’d loved there continued to bloom.

“Well, aren’t you a lovely little thing?” she murmured, brushing her nose against one of the blossoms. “Don’t suppose you could tell me your name, could you?” She chuckled at herself. Talking to flowers now, was she? Perhaps she’d finally gone senile. Although she supposed there were worse partners to be found. Flowers had the decency not to interrupt.

She lowered herself onto her side, content to enjoy the sunlight for a while. Somewhere nearby, a bird called out, followed by another answering from farther away. Evergreen listened with a faint smile, her ears shifting toward the sound. It was a lovely little place she’d found, and she was glad she’d followed her nose instead of continuing along her original path.

The sound of movement eventually reached her, though she made no effort to rise. Her ears turned toward it, and she lifted her muzzle, testing the breeze for an unfamiliar scent. Another traveler, perhaps? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d shared an afternoon with a stranger. “If you’ve come for the flowers, I’m afraid I’ve already claimed the best spot,” she called, amusement warming her voice. “Though I suppose there’s room enough for two, if you don’t mind the company of an old woman.”

Bone Reader

The priest was rarely in this neck of the tundra, preferring the mountains and the forests to the flat open plains. But the spirits wander, and the spirits call, so too does he.

Never far, never for long, not any more.

But the knuckles and bones he had thrown pointed him northward, the oldest of his bones crossed together. There were many ways it could be read, but it still was odd that his first tools had all been crossed.

So when he spotted the elder in the distance, he figures this is who the spirits were pointing him to. Life bouncing around the old wolf like a familiar friend, the spirits seemingly happy with the old woman. His dual toned voice answered, softly. I would love the company, if you would have it has he ever met anyone as old? Not living, at least, not in body. The beads dangling from his collar clacked together as he approached, moving to settle down nearby to give her space. I've caught your scent around, it is nice to meet you in person

First had been in Northfall, seemingly having wandered in and escorted out by Raisa, then around Saga's hiding spot where he had been leaving food. Would she recognize his now that he was closer, or had his scent been too fleeting to remember?

I am Valdís and you...the spirits know you He has been told, of course, that just outright saying so was a little..weird. But hey! He told his birds to stay back! That would make it less weird...yeah?