Grouse Thicket calling the inquisition

The summer air was humid and warm no matter the time, which were aspects she did not particulary enjoy about this time of the year, but Ikkuma was distracted by her travel weariness and surly attitude by the change in her circumstances. The Redhawks had been true to their word, and she to her's; they treated her shoulder and as repayment she began to cross their plateau and memorize it, tracking and dissuading pests while she let her body mend. In time she would begin hunting for them as well, but for the time being all she could do was explore, adjusting to her new life.

She hadn't meant to go far, nor to cross the boundary in to the thicket north of the plateau, but she did, and when she realized the scent of Raven and the others had faded in the grass, she had to pause and orient herself. It was in this moment that a call sounded deep in the wood; the voice was unfamiliar but the summons was clear, and it sent a chill along her spine. Her brow furrows, and she blurts a soft curse beneath her breath—and wonders if she should turn tail like a coward, or face whoever it was that called to her and all Anneriwok.

For fucks sakes, she sighed with her head low, am I not free of you yet? But there was nobody around to hear her, nor watch her pace. Not for a moment, anyways.