Sun Mote Copse You start to wonder why you're here not there

The two girls seemed eager to check out her discovery. Shooting Sequoia a cheerful smile, she nodded and motioned for them to fall into step as she retraced her steps toward the looming mountain. As she led them to their destination, she felt a shiver of delight pass through her. It seemed impossible that she should feel such simple joy not so long after uprooting her life and suffering the fallout. But she did; she felt it furl in her belly like a toasty warm fire.

"Porcupines are like groundhogs with long teeth—quills, like the one you found—sticking out of their butts," Wildfire shared with an airy laugh, a puff of water vapor silvering the air. "They make for some challenging prey. Maybe we'll find another and hunt it here someday..." When we live here, Wildfire couldn't help but add silently, a daring feeling thrilling through her to mix with the happiness. With another laugh that echoed through the wintry night, she broke into a gallop toward the waterfall and its mysterious moonbow.