Bramblepoint (M) Old wounds leave big scars

She still felt pretty wretched in a lot of ways, though waking up a married woman put an unexpected spring in Towhee's step. She wanted to wake @Reyes to walk with her, but he looked entirely too peaceful. She gently nudged his cheek, then padded out of the cave into a cold, partly cloudy morning. She stood just outside the mouth for a few moments to soak up what sunshine she could, then proceeded slowly toward the caldera's rim, then down to its borders.

The Sovereign considered a patrol, though when she touched down on the northern boundary line, she found herself staring at Moonspear in the distance. Her heart pinched for all the lives lost. Towhee couldn't really fathom a world without Hydra, queen of the mountain. The meteor had snuffed out an entire legacy. She stood there a while and simply thought of her sister-in-arms, mourning the end of one of her very longest friendships.

But life went on, as a sudden lick of pain in her swollen sides reminded her. Sensing that motion might help, Towhee began to walk toward Bramblepoint. She didn't think she'd go any farther, especially not in in her condition. But the fresh air would be good for her, as well as the chance to stretch her legs. Although she didn't mind hiding away in the cave with her mate, Towhee was sick and tired of being sick and tired.