Sun Mote Copse Game of drones.

She didn't need to hear to pick up the skepticism in Niamh's response. With that single word, she echoed all of Towhee's own misgivings. It was crazy to consider it, much less pitch it to her Regents like it was a reasonable matter to discuss at this juncture. Maybe it was good to hash this out with Niamh informally, get it out of her system without involving Phox and thus making it feel much more like official business. Perhaps her sister-in-law would talk some sense into her before her brother even showed up.

But then Niamh told her about how the Kingslend wolves had treated Primrose. He was such a mild-mannered and tenderhearted child, the least likely of their batch to get caught up in any drama. Towhee's blood ran cold as she imagined strange wolves manhandling their sweet boy. She understood that tensions ran high at borders; outsiders were an inherent risk. But who on earth could view Prim and his bouquet as a threat? What sorts of wolves met innocent children with such unnecessary force? Even Towhee, a territorial mega-bitch, had a soft spot for the young.

-"I don't know,"- she answered honestly when Niamh asked about the most recent batch of fools parked in Hideaway Strath. -"Does it matter?"- Towhee drew in a breath, still stuck on this news about Prim. Truth be told, the mental images alone made her want to scrap the idea of relocating and wage war instead. How dare they touch a child of the Firebirds? Surely Moonspear would back them too, if they called upon them.

But did they really want to drag everyone into a war? As angry as it made her, Towhee thought it might be a disproportionate reaction to the situation. She didn't want to subject Primrose or any of the other children to anything remotely resembling a battle, nor did she want to ask that of their allies. As her mind chewed and churned, she cycled back toward relocation. It would solve the same problems, with a lot less risk and bloodshed.

-"We should go back,"- Towhee said, jaw setting. She didn't like it, not after what'd happened the last time she'd been there, -"back to the caldera."-