Dawn Treader Valley some people think it's a curse

towhee keeps exploring.

already, she had wandered farther from moonspear than she'd ever dared on her own and finally thinks she understands the appeal in it; wondering if she'd be granted the same leave to travel as her mother had, or if she'd be turned down due to her age.

she was five months old and trained enough to survive on her own; and though she could always use further training, could hold her own well enough to stay alive.

she had crossed the river that siphoned off the lush valley beyond earlier that morning, grateful for the swim. because it had worked to cool her off and rid her mostly of the grains of sand that still, unfortunately, linger in her mouth.

the scent of blood draws her attention and her steps slow, body hunkering down in the taller grasses upon her approach. she moves stealthy, like a phantom, golden ocher gaze peering through the blades of grass as it thins. a juvenile peregrine falcon is ensnared in a thicket of thorny brambles, unable to break free.

she hesitates, torn between sparing it and killing it.

it doesn't appear too injured and as she approaches, opens it's beak and tries to dive at her; it's chest rising and falling rapidly, wings beating at the air. it's foot is tangled, mangled, jr can see.

she lets out a low rumble; meant to soothe. which only seems to aggravate it more.

she waits until the falcon tires itself out and begrudgingly lets her approach at last. it opens it's beak again but does not attack. jr works on breaking apart of the thorny bramble, seeing the dead field mouse tangled deeper inside it, piecing together how this might've happened.

it cuts at the roof of her mouth, the metallic taste of her own blood lingering but she pushes through until the falcon is free. it takes to the air, flying up to a nearby tree where it preens its cream and brown feathers, watching her with it's black, beady gaze.

towhee lets out a low huff, as if to communicate her thoughts which were along the lines of a sardonic: you're welcome.