Stone Circle On guard!

The news weighed heavily on Easy's heart. She hadn't known the child, but she still emphasized with Easthollow's loss, and still felt an echo of the sting such a loss must hold for them. When Vespera offered an apology, she gave a swift shake of her head. "You're just doing your job," she said firmly, offering a sad smile at the woman. "My sister, Lavender, was attacked when we were young. Everyone was on edge until we were grown, it seemed like. My dad ordered all trespassers attacked and killed without question, after that." She really ought to be more careful running up on Easthollow's borders if she was going to visit so infrequently.

She looked back to Steph, pushing her nose against the other woman's dark shoulder. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Steph. And for Aunt Val's, too. And yours -- I don't believe I caught your name." Her pumpkin gaze had slid back toward Vespera, who she thought looked like she needed a good rest.