Sleepy Fox Hollow Wasn't enough.

Her legs carried her away from the desolate, sand-stricken landscape and back to the green so she could reunite with Prowler. Although she rarely showed it, Fiona was quite fond of her familiar. A tool, yes, but also a companion when the days were long and lonely. While she could not communicate with the raccoon as she might with another of her own kind, she found that their bond was stronger than any that she had had with a wolf.

Up the slope of a mountain she went, glancing back to see a creek behind her. As she neared the ridge, Fiona slowed, the fresh stench of a marking giving her pause. She tested the smell, trying to pull what information she could from it. In the distance, to her right, she saw the receding pale figure who had no doubt been the one to stain this place.

Fiona motioned for Prowler to scoot—she would collect her later—then began following a safe distance behind the stranger.