Deepwood Weald arctocephalus

The question was enough to break his heart, even without the added weight of her voice. The panther had to hold his teeth together for a moment to suppress an empathetic moue.

"Oh, bachchee," he sighed, unable to help the small lament. "This, I do not know. The spirits move within this forest. Your brothers must know to come look for you there."

He looked back at her, wishing she would come and walk beside him instead of trailing behind.

"My hunting partner searches for his siblings, too. A brother and a sister. I will spread the word that this place is where siblings must look on the equinoxes — but these words must reach them through mortal voices. We will hope that they are as brave as you, and that they make friends who have friends, and that they will hear someday that there is a place where they might seek you — where they know you might seek them."