Blackfeather Woods where order is wild

He intrigued her, greatly. It was his pelt. She had never seen anything like it before--blacks and grays all muddled together, with a thick, silver ruff around his neck. Oh, perhaps it was the way he carried himself, too, like a warrior who knows each step before they take it. There was a surety to his shoulders that she liked.

But who was he? And why had she never seen him here before?

Maegi limped closer, giving a low chuff to announce her presence. Each step was agony; she hoped he'd stop or at least slow, so that she did not need to expend much energy hurrying after him. She wondered if he was an intruder. But what intruder would be this bold? Could be this bold?

Well. . .if anyone could, it was this man, she thought.