The Bracken Woods ride on through the night ride on

The wood was thick around her, with thorns and brambles grasping like talons at her sides— and though she'd certainly hear anyone that sought to sneak up on her, Rook still felt vulnerable and exposed. Traversing unknown territories was a talent that ran thick in her blood, but the woman usually had the strength of the Corvidae at her back. For the first time in her life, she was truly alone. It was thrilling, and she moved with an excited, nervous energy; she wondered if this was the feeling her sister had left them for. If so, she could no longer begrudge her for it.

A bird crowed from above, sending a chill down the dark woman's spine, and she paused to search the darkening canopy above. She could see nothing in the shadows, and so moved on. "Silly to be frightened of a bird," she murmurred, "I must be on edge."