Blacktail Deer Plateau and thereby open wide the door

"you have done all you could. you lift our spirits, you heal us. you lead us. you loved atticus with all of your heart, blue willow; the strength of your faith that he would recover brought him back to us." he nudged her again, willing fervently that she understand and accept. "no one could have done more than you, my beloved friend."

closing his eyes, he lingered in the warmth of her embrace for a moment before drawing back. she would go on after this, after all she had suffered, and be stronger for it, but he still loathed the fact that she was in pain.