The strange crew of animals continued down the riverbank, with the intrepid little Otter woman called Marian scouting ahead for them with ease.
At the water's edge, Laura and Casey held up the point together while the two mated foxes John and Sandy kept up the rear, occasionally bickering with each other. Though all were using their considerable pool of bestial senses, it proved in vain for the moment.
"I can't pick anything up." Casey finally admitted, pausing to take a long sniff of the air. "And we've covered quite a lot of ground. I vote for some rest."
"I second that!" Sandy piped up from the rear. "My poor footpads are aching."
"Yes! We must have covered a mile!" John threw in. "I could use a little sit."
"Motion carries, then." Laura smiled. "You three get situated. I'll call Marian in."
The wolf sat down with the two comparatively smaller foxes against a group of trees as Laura clopped towards the riverbank, spying the otter and waving at her.
"Marian!" Laura called sweetly. "We're taking a short break. Will you come join us?"
"Of course, darling!" Marian called back, and flipped around to swim up river.
"I wouldn't make too much noise." Casey cautioned in a low tone. "Who knows what's out there now, right?"
"No wonder they get eaten." Sandy whispered to her mate, though Laura's sensitive hearing caught the remark.
Laura waved as the otter woman drew near, splashing along the bank before hauling herself up onto the muddy cliff with her claws.
"I couldn't see anything interesting downstream." Marian announced, flicking her tail. "But there's an old building made of logs down the way surrounded by some trees. We should check it out, might be interesting."
"Worth a look." Casey commented, and leaned back against his hands, resting his eyes.
The foxes seemed to be quite focused on themselves, busy chattering about some odd topic with exaggerated hand gestures.
"Hmmm." Laura smirked, and turned to regard Marian as she climbed onto the grass and shook her fur out.
"So lovely." Marian smiled. "It makes me feel humbled, all this beauty. I never saw it before, you know?"
"Yes." Laura agreed, remembering the awe as her dull black and white world exploded with full color. "It... makes you appreciate what you never knew you had."
"Exactly!" Marian nodded cheerfully, and began walking to join the others.
Staring as the otter sat down beside Casey, Laura stood pondering, considering what they should do next.
"Should we look at this building?" Laura asked of Casey, turning. "Or should we keep searching for others?"
Casey turned to the petite otter woman. "What did you see?"
"Uh, well." The otter didn't particularly care for the towering predator's gaze. "It was a structure of some sort. Made of logs, I imagine. I didn't get close enough for a good look."
Laura and Casey exchanged a glance. In their old lives, both of them knew the kind of creatures that would live in such a place.
"We must be doubly cautious." Laura explained. "There might be people around here."
"Man." Casey seemed to snarl. "Yes."
"Man? What is this man?" John asked worriedly.
Again, the wolf and deer exchanged a brief look.
"I should investigate myself." Casey rose. "It's far too dangerous for the rest of you to go."
"You can't leave us!" Sandy insisted.
"I have to." Casey turned, offering a comforting smile to the fox woman. "In the meantime, set up a shelter. Don't do anything else until I get back."
"Casey..." Marian stood up. "You seem scared. What makes a *wolf* afraid?"
"Who's afraid?" Casey grinned, and pulled Laura aside.
"I have to know what we're dealing with. No wonder there's no animals here. They know better." He whispered to the deer. "Might be hunters, might be locals. Keep our group safe, and if any more come have them stay with you."
"Be careful." She offered, staring into the wolf's eyes. "We..." She looked down at the ground. "We need you if we're going to survive."
He winked. "I told you I could be trusted." And with that, Casey slipped off into the thickest of trees and vanished with eerie stealth.
"Well." Laura turned to the others. "You heard him! Let's get to work!"