Sun Mote Copse a stick, a stone; it's the end of the road

I don’t think so. She’s still traveling between villages, though she’s been resting here a while, recovering…

It was probably a little patronizing, though Meerkat couldn’t help herself. She reached out and softly patted his back. When Killdeer seemed prepared to begin moving into the copse, she kept the pace slow.

She set up a memorial here, where the family graveyard used to be… and still is, Meerkat amended hastily. I think that’s where we’ll find her.

Indeed, as they approached the little circle of stones near the river’s edge on the east side of the copse, Meerkat saw her mother’s familiar figure ahead. Fortunately, Towhee was facing this way, so they wouldn’t catch her off guard.

Slowing to a stop, Meerkat said, Go to her. I’ll go find something for both of you to eat, and offered Killdeer a parting nudge before slipping away.