Firefly Glen Ut in ditt indre ventar bratt ein sti.

Meerkat chewed at her lip when she heard Towhee’s call. She seemed okay but she didn’t think she’d be able to scrub the sight of her mother’s flesh steaming in the rain out of her brain anytime soon. In any case, the howl didn’t sound urgent, just invitational (and, of course, earsplitting).

She and Njord had divided and conquered today, each grabbing one daughter to take on an adventure around the mountain. Meerkat nudged Seal away from the spring where they had been wading after a hearty lunch and guided her downhill toward the healing den.

Towhee wasn’t there, though it wasn’t hard to find her just a little ways into the glen. Sable stood beside his mother, looking quite grownup. Meerkat woofed a greeting to both of them, striding in their direction.

Is it story time? she guessed, remembering her mother’s mention of this plan. Her eyes traced over Towhee’s back as she added, How are you feeling?

Seal chose that moment to fling herself at her grandmother, prompting Meerkat to wince and hover her forepaws over her child. She was entirely prepared to gently drag her off Towhee if the matriarch showed any signs of discomfort.

That didn’t happen, though in the next moment, Meerkat said, Why don’t you two gather some playthings before the other pups get here? to both her daughter and her younger brother.