Deepwood Weald Both the slave and the empress

The last time he had seen a fox it had traipsed across Moonglow's limits and been caught, its pelt bestowed upon Kukutux as a gift for her to work on.

When Raimo saw the flash of fur this time he knew what it was immediately. With a powerful leap off of a rise of moss-hewn soil he plunged after it.

Beside him, behind him, seemingly everywhere — there was the narrow shadow.

—Did Kukutux still sleep upon the fox fur? They had shared it on some nights; black and white on burning amber.—

This fox was harder to follow as it twisted down the maze-like paths, finding cover in darkness or the reaching mess of branches steepled overhead. Raimo flashed the woman a glance before turning on his heel and chasing after the beast.