Shadow Mountain I am inimitable, I am an original

She winced involuntarily, the name hurled her way somewhat akin to being slapped. Blackfeather Woods. She hadn't really allowed herself to say it; had barely allowed herself to think it. And yet here it was, between the two of them, brought to ugly life once more by speech.

Yes, Maegi replied hollowly, lifting her muzzle to point to the south. It's on that side of the mountains. . .but you won't find anyone there. At least, so she thought.

She gave the girl a look straddling the line between curious and dazed. Why do you ask? she queried, wariness entering her voice. Few sought Blackfeather for a neutral purpose. The young woman either had no love for the place—or the opposite. Maegi didn't know which outcome prickled at her more.