Deepwood Weald pagophilus

With the both of his children, Dutch had been busier than ever. He still had time to worry about Sulukinak, however. Perhaps he worried more now than he had before their birth — for nightmares of her coming to take them had plagued him constantly since he first laid eyes on his youngest four.

He left them with his mother for now, and set off to answer her call.

"Shadow girl," he greeted her, not without warmth. But he was worried — for her, for his children, and for himself. Was this her farewell? "Are you well?" he asked her.