Redhawk Caldera My heart is broken, my head is bowed

The miserable wail of a howl jarred Peregrine from a drowsing state, his head jerking upward and his ears pricking. He scrambled to his paws and began loping down the slope, wondering at the reason for Blue Willow's tormented cry. By the time he touched ground at its base, his heart was hammering. It jumped into his throat when he saw a black heap on his borders.

"Willow! What is it?" he gasped raggedly as he raced up to her, nudging her gently. He didn't smell blood and saw no obvious injury. That was good, though he feared that meant something had wounded her mentally or emotionally rather than physically. Had something bad happened at the plateau? Was it one of his children? His dusky eyes burned, waiting for her to answer him.