Heron Lake Plateau I've got my heart set on anywhere but here

Wildfire's lips stretched into a thin smile as her words of yore echoed in her head: "Let her know I've recovered well but that I'll no longer be traveling, even when the kids are older." At the time, she really hadn't planned to leave Drageda ever again, not after what she'd been through. But watching Thuringwethil leave, then losing Bat and struggling to raise their remaining three kids alone had somehow beaten her down worse than the Blackfeathers ever had. The idea of her mate's return had ceased being a comforting thought long ago, instead becoming a source of terrible resentment, even dread.

In the days following her final departure from Drageda, Wildfire experienced lots of extremely difficult emotions. But she felt more alive than she had in quite some time. She knew she'd made a selfish and terrible choice—she was natrona, now—but also a necessary one. It helped that she wasn't alone. Her tight smile blossomed into something a bit more genuine, even reaching her chestnut eyes, as her gaze swept over her small entourage. The black tip of her tail stirred in gratitude. Not only did she have these remnants of her Drakru family with her, they were about to join several more as soon as they reached the Redhawks.

Despite the cold of encroaching winter and a wrong turn here or there—she'd never been to the plateau, after all—the seasoned scout managed to guide her party to their destination. It's just Redhawks now, Wildfire reminded herself, no more Caldera. She immediately picked up on several familiar scents as they closed in on the towering bluff, including one that made her heart feel like it would beat from her chest. She'd meant to howl for the leaders directly, @Raven in particular, but instead she found herself crying the name of her long lost child.

Please let @Kiwi and @Sequoia post first, thanks! :)