Lantern

Not much is known about Lantern, even after all these years. She comes and goes on intermittent terms, spending a great deal of time navigating the complex and many-layered tunnels the quarry has to offer. Gathered around shared prey and lamp light, the younger wolves have a tendency to gossip; they say she is a ghost, surely. A wolf who had met an ill fate within the mines many, many years ago.

Rarely is she seen, and rarer still does she speak. On the scant occasion she pays a visit to the Half-Light Oratory, she is greeted as an old friend with something akin to reverence. The pups partake in no such hero-worship, however, and are always quick to ambush the mysterious newcomer with play-fights and demands that she show them her 'pretty light tricks'. Despite the gentle (perhaps mortified) chastising of their parents, Lantern has always indulged them. It is one of the few times a small smile can be seen upon her gold-flecked muzzle.

She will spend a few days, though never longer than a week, amongst the pack. In that time, she is sure to tend to any lanterns that might have gone out in her absence. She will lend a bit of advice here, a helping paw there. She spares a few moments to reminisce on times long gone with the senior wolves.

On the morning of her final day of visiting, she will rise to her feet, give a great stretch of her limbs, and pad towards the mineshaft entrance. Like clockwork, she will sit for a while- just until the morning light streaks into the cave's mouth and dapples her fur. If anyone should happen to follow her as she partakes in such a ritual, they might note how the pale wolf gives a contented sigh at the feeling of the sun's warmth. They might consider, for a moment, that the great Lantern does not often get to see sunlight for herself.

She gives no farewell, afterwards.
The other wolves do not take this personally. They simply watch as their friend and guide makes her way toward one of the darker tunnels - leading further into the mine - and disappear with a final flick of her tail. It is bittersweet, they suppose, as they return to their daily lives. They know that the wolf will always appear should they ever be wanting for company.