The Heartwood The fall

Another thread in RHC? That will probably make the most sense. :3

Fox nodded, though she wasn't sure if it was an agreement nod. It was more of an acknowledgement nod than anything. Fox had never liked the idea of bringing anyone sick closer to herself or the children. It would have been one thing if Dove had been improving, but she was only getting worse. Unlike Peregrine, Fox saw no reason to shield their children from death. They'd seen plenty of it already, and they would see more. It was the sickness she feared, not somebody else dying.

What they did not yet know was that Dove would be gone by the time they got back, having breathed her last breath alone while Fox and Peregrine were on their way back.