Einarr had woken up early that morning. The merchants ahd just settled in the day prior and he was eager to catch plenty of fish and bargain some items off of the merchants with his prizes. Better yet if he could find something that suited Silke's fancy. For a moment, he wondered if he should wait to do the fishing until he knew what Silke liked best that the merchants had to offer, but... no, it was better to go out now and be ready with the treats he had to offer, once he found out what she'd like.
He overheard some mention about gaining a title within the pack, something beyond being known merely as a Knight, but a Bass Pro or a Catfish Catcher. He wasn't sure which one sounded more impressive, but he knew he wanted to win at least one of these titles. He wanted to be among the best of the best. He wanted to be adored, by his pack and his family... but mostly by the lovely Silke, who he tried so hard to please.
In getting up early, he intended to get up before the sun rose fully in the air. He wanted to catch the fish still sleeping... if fish even slept. He wasn't totally sure it would work, but he crept towards the river and slowly meandered into the water. He scanned the water, looking for the familiar shadows of fish under the water. It was hard to see with the sun not yet rose off the horizon, but it didn't take long for him to feel a fish against his leg. In fact, he realized, there were many of them! Had he walked right into a group of sleeping fish?
Resisting the urge to jerk his legs away, he instead dove his muzzle down into the water and pulled out the fish in his teeth. He bit into the fish, tasting blood, before he tossed his catch onto the shore nearby, before he dove his head back in for more. In the end, he caught four fish before the rest swam off. Feeling properly exhausted despite the day having only started, he moved back to the shore and picked up the fish he'd caught and killed by their tails. It was slippery work and he had to stop several times on the way back to camp to pick up a fish or two that slipped from his jaws.
He moved towards the merchants, fish in mouth to see what could be purchased as the sun began to rose. That was until he realized... the merchants were still asleep! With a muffled sigh, he took his fish back to his den. He knew it would stink up his nest and those around him, but everyone in the pack ate fish, right? Surely no one would mind that much. Besides, it was only until the sun rose. With his fishy prizes nearby, he collapsed into his nest. What good was waking up early, anyway?
(WC: 503)
