Blackfeather Woods us and them

It wasn't his duty to watch Astara, but he had come to depend on her visits to pass the time and keep him from slipping in to the dark pit of his mind. Every time the boy closed his eyes he thought he was back in the cavern with the creature, and so he had found it difficult to sleep without aid. At times this meant he would fall asleep with the use of poppies or herbs with Relmyna's assistance, but sometimes he would wake to the feeling of a body pressed close to him — and those few times he managed to turn and look at the lump, it would be Astara. He never dared to disturb her, and would feign sleep should she wake.

So when he woke this time and found himself alone, Mou felt a great sadness. He could smell her scent in the grass beside him but she was not present, and the spot was cold. Mou decided to search for her — she could not be far — and so he got to his feet and with trembling steps, wove his way in pursuit. It was difficult because of his weakness, but also because of his state of mind; his last dose of poppies had been strong enough to knock him out and keep him from noticing his visitors. He felt himself reaching with each step but he could not be certain he was treading on the earth, for example. 

Mou floated along until he saw a flash of movement among the darkness of the trees, and he stumbled as he tried to adjust his angle of approach. By the time he arrived on the scene he was muddy and trembling with exhaustion, but he wasn't aware of how worn out he had become. He looked at the gathered wolves and recognized Astara was there, which calmed him down somewhat. He thought he saw Shisu as well — and then he saw the pale girl beyond them, and his dilated gaze drifted across his beloved Maegi but did not connect any dots.