Shy Deer Steppes Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown

The Firebirds were just shy of five months old and though Wildfire would always be petite, even she could no longer be easily differentiated from the adults. This was her argument when she asked her parents if she could go on a brief trip beyond the pack's borders. Peregrine in particular had mentioned the plains directly to the east and Wildfire wanted to explore them. He was adamant in his refusal, until she insisted she would take @Magpie along. It was clear to her that he still didn't like the idea one bit (she knew he didn't think much of the Outrider trade, period) but, at last, he relented.

"Be back in no more than three hours. I'll be watching and waiting at the borders." These words echoed in her head as she and her young aunt ventured out toward Shy Deer Steppes. It was a hot, dry day. They stopped at a small creek for a drink, then found themselves at the edge of the sprawling prairie. Magpie's lemon-lime eyes immediately sought out the distant herd that gave this location its name, while Wildfire simply stood there, drinking in all the sights and smells of these foreign surroundings.