Ravensblood Forest and out in the woods lighting struck

The call stopped them all in their tracks as they traveled into the woods. @Mou, Maegi, and the children: the six of them stunned into silence as the howl shivered through the trees.

Hmmm, she murmured in contemplation, giving her husband a look before clucking gently to the pups to carry on. It was a searching call, someone seeking someone else, and for a moment she was caught up in the web of her lies and thought perhaps—could it be Niamh?!

Or the ghost of the golden woman, seeking her children. Heaven knows what horrors lay ahead for Maegi.

But if it was someone in real trouble, perhaps they could be of help. If they continued to earn goodwill here and there, they could maybe find a home that would accept them all. The Phox bridge. . .they could cross it eventually.

Stay close to me, she told the children, who obediently clung to their parents' sides—perhaps only by virtue of fear of the dark forest and its bleeding-sap trees.

@Peregrine @Prevost @Vesper @Blueberry for reference