Sunset Valley a name she dared not find

Here in a corner of the taiga she thought safe, Other Shore felt more unsettled than ever. She picked her thoughts apart as she ran.

Yes, Ghenaya and Faliya and Caan were safe; yes, Ishmira was alive despite everything; yes, Morwenna had brought them to a little haven along with the man named Ksura...

...But she could only think of how close it had been.

So fast. Too fast. She had turned away for no more than a few minutes and suddenly Saatsine had split and was tearing upon itself. She heard Ghenaya's name and went for her - chased that thief all the way to some unknown direction - then barely, by some sliver of luck, retrieved the pup. And again, another slim blessing from above kept her and Ghenaya alive long enough to find Morwenna again.

But what if - if she had been there a minute too late, if she had been a little too slow to snatch Ghenaya... what would have become of her?

And so she decided that she must run faster, find her way faster. Here, where time had granted her a little solitude and grace, Other Shore would hone herself so nothing of the sort would happen again. She must be faster than it could all happen.

But first she must catch her breath after that reckless burst of sprinting.

She slowed, picking her way through the broad valley, creating a map in her mind. The others were there, Winsook's peak was that way, so this lake must be here then, tucked away in this copse. She sat and pawed at the fine water. Poked at her reflection, then tried to laugh to herself a little. Took a sip and savored the taste. She did not foresee herself to remain by this lake for long, given the present chaos, but it offered a kind interruption in her racing thoughts.