Ko-Ga's wing still ailed him, if he flew too far or too furiously. But he could cover ground, now (air?), without being eagle-food, and so his search for Nat-Nate continued down the coast. Storms gathered on the mountain peak in the distance, keeping him at bay. But this beach, he remembered — Mithwyth had taken him and Nate to it, once.

Not long ago, and still it seemed so much had changed! It was colder, now. Lonelier. He wished the sun would brighten.

Ko-Ga rode currents of wind off the sea high into the air and scanned the long stretch of black sand. Even the ice did not glisten like it once had. From this vantage, he could see for miles, and so, when the shape of a wolf loping caught attention, the crow was quick to angle winter-tipped wings toward them and investigate.

A pup, too. Close. But not together. Were they playing hide-and-seek? If they had a pack, perhaps they had seen or smelled his Nat-Nate!

Scaly feet landed on a glittering chunk of shattered berg beside the stranger with mismatched eyes. Head bobbed, curious. For now — only a crow. It would more amusing to speak later, he decided.