The Heartwood The fall

Fox furrowed her brow at his explanation. It was eerily familiar to what Haunter had gone through, and even Peregrine's brother. She did not like it one bit. Still, she remained quiet. Fox was not about to make things worse by worrying her mate, the father of her children, by telling him he was about to die. They had other pressing matters on their paws, and she did not want to even think about the possibility of Peregrine wasting away when her sister was doing just that. Besides, it could be a fluke. Just a random happening that would not repeat itself. Fox told herself this, then answered his question.

"It's Dove," she explained, "I don't think she's going to make it through the night. She's come down with a fever, and her breathing is really—I mean really—shallow." In fact, Fox wasn't even sure if Dove would still be alive when they got back to the caldera. The Redhawk knew next to nothing about medicine, but she knew a dying wolf when she saw one... and Dove was one of those. At least it would not be a huge loss to the caldera, as cruel a thought as that was. Dove had been an asset to them when watching the children, but the three firebirds were more or less independent now.

"I don't really know what to do, but I think we should move her away from the center of things." To prepare for her death? Another cruel thought, but Fox had always been a realist.