Deepwood Weald arctocephalus

Ah — "The land of long nights," he said, the idea solidifying before he'd verified that they spoke of the same place. It was fact, now, in the panther's mind. "There is great beauty there — but I always find I miss the sunlight, and the sandy beaches."

He did not miss the girl's trepidation. Little shadow indeed! She traveled in his wake, tip-toeing, until he had to glance behind him to verify her presence. After the second glance, he made a decision to trust that she would continue to follow and looked back at her no more.

"Cloudwoman will lead us to the caves, soon," he said, his tone light. "Some will sleep there. Most, perhaps. I think I will still find my sleep under the sky. That is one thing I liked about the land of long nights. There is nothing to cover it, and there were almost always stars."