She did not turn to him as he approached. Instead she sat still
looking only forwards towards the horizon as if there was something
just beyond it which she yearned to see. Her cream coloured fur
glistened slightly with melting ice crystals and blew gently in the
milder breeze. If she had heard his gratitude she made no
acknowledgement and when she spoke she appeared to age as if all the
cares and worries were etched upon her face.

"I am growing old, I accepted the life of a leader knowing what I
must sacrifice and I do not regret my decision. There are days
though when the weight of the burdens laid upon those of us who
remember seems insurmountable."

Only then was it she looked at him, her liquid amber eyes staring
deep into his, not a challenge, but as she spoke her thoughts and
speech became clearer to him, easier to understand.

"Hatred is an emotion which rapes the land and scours the soul. I
know Aranok appears strong and even evil at times, but he has allowed
hatred to surround his heart and protect him. It is not an excuse,
merely an explanation of his actions."

She re-adjusted herself wincing ever so slightly as she eased the
pressure on her leg. The change in weather seemed to effect it more
these days, another sure sign of her age and today she felt even
older than her years.

"Humans with the heart to hear and listen to wolves and speak back
have grown fewer and fewer in our tales. It used to be that the
human would be trained by a wolf to develop his language and skill,
speaking the language is only a fraction of it. Any human could
listen and understand us if they would listen with their souls and
their hearts, but none do it seems and those that do often are afraid
of what might happen should others find out."

Omara shook her head and fell silent again, lapsing into a deep
thought.

"I do not mean to ramble, I only wish you to try to understand us
more, to understand Aranok, I am so tired of the enmity between human
and wolf and this war of hatred which has cost the lives of so many."

'including that of my mate' she thought, but said nothing,
instead only looking up at the sunlit sky as though she could see the
night time stars in such a wash of light.