It was time to head home. Once a homebody, Maegi did so today reluctantly. The trip to the sea had given her a yearning for adventure not easily snuffed out. She dreamed of the day when she returned to visit her second family. She also dreamed of the day when she'd cross the mountains again, this time with bravery in her heart, rather than fear.

She slipped through the woods, eventually ending up in the darkest part, the foggy place that reminded her so much of Blackfeather. Maegi smiled at the thought, mouth turning upwards. She was a pale ghost in the mist; if anyone at all superstitious should see her, they would think her a spirit, one of the undead. But Maegi was flesh and blood--

Which she promptly regretted when her left rear leg plunged into a rodent hole, twisting and causing her to tumble over.

The girl let out a yelp, pain burning through the trapped limb. She managed to free herself fairly easily, but the hurt was still there, throbbing with every step. She sat gingerly down and examined the leg; it appeared fine, perhaps a bit swollen but otherwise straight. But gods, it hurt! Already a slow walker because of her mangled forepaw, this hindered her even further--getting home would take ages at this point.

"Damn it," Maegi pouted, slumping a little. Looked like she was spending the night here.