Noctisardor Bypass stergeda

heda, seated for longer than five minutes, had started to doze when ava came upon her. the slender muzzle shook; the golden eyes blinked. "baby." she smiled, slowly registering. 
the bird was put aside. heda gathered herself to unsteady legs and took a breath. "lead on. i'm right behind you."
the world was spinning. she focused on counting the pinewood trees that they passed, then turned her attention upon ava.