Redhawk Caldera Homeward Bound

The last time he had been here had been a brief affair; long enough to get the children squared away with their blood-father, but without much reason to linger at the time, Mou had distanced himself. It had been difficult to leave behind the creature wearing Maegi's face - worse, to leave Vesper. He had used Prevost's absence as an escape.

And now that he had returned, there was nobody to meet him. If the children remained he did not find any sign of them. Phox' scent had vanished. The wind howled through the valley and rattled the trees, much as it had in the desertion of Blackfeather Woods.

Mou did not know why he had come back here.

He advanced up the slope, which opened to a barren knoll, and saw Towhee sitting there, watching him. She must have been there a while. Her fur looked puffed and thick, while her expression was serious.

Would she chase him out? Mou wondered. She had ample time to exert her will up until this point, yet remained where she had planted herself. He drew closer, grim-faced and cautious.