Following the taint

[Vark Granel]

A small spike of envy flashed through Vark as Conor walked into the house on two legs. But it was quickly gone and past. Vark presented his left front leg to Conor when he asked to inspect the injuries. His left paw still had several burns on it, which still ached and weeped a bit. Because all the doors were wedged open, the cold wind whistled in through the gaps, creating freezing draughts. Vark also had the inability to make a fire, and so the house was bitterly cold. Vark gave an involuntary shiver. He had been worried about the condition of his wounds, but the tone and cheerfulness in which Conor talked suggested that he had nothing to worry about. Vark liked Conor, having a male close to the same age as he. He had a distinct scent, influenced by the various salves and herbs he came into contact with everyday. Vark felt a bit awkward in the silence, and so voiced a question that had been bothering him ever since he came to Dahlia de Mai.
"My mother said that Haku hated coyotes, and that he would protect us." Vark said. "I have heard stories of how terrible he is in battle. And out. Does this pack fight coyotes a lot?"