Moonsong Glacier mistmantle

This was news to the panther, and it showed in the slight furrow of his brow. But Chickadee's current state was a more pressing matter, and he reached out to lay a paw on her shoulder while she caught her breath.

"They departed," he said gently, his paw slipping away. "While we were still on the plains. They left no word. I hoped we might find them here, but — " But they hadn't, obviously. Dutch found his gaze drawn to the glacier as well, and he breathed out a sigh of his own. "I do not expect they will return," he concluded.

And that made him — Sad, he told himself firmly, grabbing his anger by the scruff. Both were true, but although neither were helpful, one was quite a bit less dangerous than the other.

"I need you to pass a message, Chickadee," he said, his burnished gaze grave.