Alvina paused from her perch not so far ahead of him, merely nodding in response. Her eyes, however, were more active. In reality, she had been surprised he hadn’t quipped up about the darkness sooner. Many in the pack, especially those like Nicole, that was, animals of prey, tended to suffer in that regard. Knowing as much, she was sharply watching even as she charted her own course ahead to make certain he didn’t twist a leg on some loose stone or wayward branch. “I thought so.” She mused, glancing back. Fortunately, the descent among the rocks was passing with ease. With a few final hops, she finally reached looser soil.

The sound of water had grown louder, a soft, rushing sound now which was only separated by a dense growth of nearby trees. “Fortunately,” there was a smile in her voice as she spoke, “that won’t matter where we are going.” After less than a hundred feet, still approaching the sound of the water, a swath of brush seemed to cut off their path. With familiar ease, she pushed through, absently holding branches back here and there for him as they plunged through.

As quickly as they’d entered, they emerged… Into a small clearing, where a stream cut through grassy turf that was thickly scented with moisture. The canopy above, even had the moon been out, was obstructed so thickly by tree branches that only glimpses of the brightest of stars could be seen. It was as if they’d stepped into a structure, created by the very forest themselves. And before them, dotted along the banks of the stream, was the sight what they’d come to see. Amongst the blades of grass and mossy stones were many luminous orchids. They practically seemed to glow with a soft, blueish white light all their own, very similar to the brightness of the moon in the sky.

Alvina side-stepped, smiling as she made her way closer. “These have been here since before I settled the Pack in this place. I’ve never quite been able to discern just why… But aren’t they beautiful?”