Dragoncrest Cliffs pay no mind to the rabble

It had been weeks since the night Hollis had found the sick woman in the tangle. Once Haunt was in the care of the others who arrived soon after, Hollis had disappeared back into the grotto. It was there she remained, convinced she could take care of herself through the winter in such an environment as the grotto, a place so alive and thriving. She believed herself immune to loneliness too; she did not need anyone but herself.

The overconfidence of youth carried her through many days, and it was that same naïveté that would eventually bring her to the borders of Sapphique, humbled and starving. The dead of winter was still weeks away and yet she had barely lasted to the end of autumn. 

She did know better than to cross the borders, stopping just shy of them before singing to the sky. Her howl was urgent, carrying almost a whine to it; she had never been this hungry before. Fortunately, the honeyed-cocoa girl was still in good health, having just begun to lose some of the lean muscle that clung to her petite frame. 

Hollis sat on her haunches, and then lowered herself further to her belly, resting her head between her paws and emitting a soft huff.