Blackfeather Woods bitter pill

It was difficult to put together what he was saying--much of it was mumbled and fragmented. But she gave it her best effort, gleaning what she thought were the most salient details of the story. Cave. Stuck? Safe--save me. Relmyna had saved him? Her lips curved in a smile that grew even wider as he offered his last remark.

Now that, she understood.

"I'm happy you're here, too," Maegi whispered, nose running idly through his fur. He smelled at once so different and much the same--it was, truly, Mou. Here. "And talking, too--Mou, you're doing such a great job." That was Reed's area of expertise, and she gave a metaphorical tip of the hat to her old friend on the isle, eyes misting slightly as she thought of the ruddy princess.

She sniffled and moved slightly away, picking up the scent of the girl that had come to the border. Something akin to envy rushed through her veins--she remembered the Melonii eyes, the dark fur. The child was certainly of her blood, and it gave her some angst to think that she was not the only princess of her lineage residing in the dark woods.

"How long have you been here?" she asked, pushing those thoughts away for now.