Moonspear quaking forest

No, but thank you, Meerkat said to Seal’s offer. Your da has been looking after me very well, along with the pack’s healers. I want for nothing… well, except to get rid of this cold!

The weary woman settled down to give her daughter’s story every ounce of her attention. When Seal spoke so fondly of the seaside, it made Meerkat’s chest tighten in a way that had nothing at all to do with her illness. Would her daughters have liked growing up in Sapphique?

It wasn’t worth dwelling, so Meerkat pushed that thought out of her mind as the story continued. Two of her cousins were missing, a fact which made Meerkat frown. Her heart went out to Caracal and Heda. She knew—mostly via Towhee—how much those two had struggled with so many children. But this was still tragic news.

When Seal finished with a remark about home, an idea struck Meerkat very suddenly. It excited her enough to prompt a phlegmatic cough, which she tried to direct toward her shoulder. When the fit passed, she smiled apologetically at Seal and pushed herself upright.

I’d love to hear all about Dinah and Ava in particular. What are they like? While you tell me, would you like to take a walk? I think it would do me some good. Just stay this, Meerkat said, positioning herself about two yards from Seal, far apart so I don’t have to worry about you catching anything.