Lake Rodney Where does a mind like yours wonder

As much as she adored her two younger siblings—Pie loved them unconditionally the instant she saw them—she could not bring herself to stay in the Hobbit Hole. When night fell and the Redhawks gathered to rest, she slipped away into the darkness.

She climbed the northwestern wall with ease, then paused at the crest. The waxing gibbous moon lent just enough light for her to see Moonspear silhouetted in the distance. Treepie’s heart constricted. Much as she loved everyone here, she wanted to go home.

But what would she find there, aside from memories? Tiuttuk’s muzzle slanted downward as she stared at the patch of ground between her feet. She drew a few deep breaths, then pushed back onto all fours and descended. She refused to look upward again.

She forced her yellow eyes to the west, where a great lake sprawled. She could hear the gentle lapping of its waters. As the yearling moved toward it, she heard another sound, a familiar one. Pie looked up and saw a shadow flitting in the moonlight. The corner of her lip lifted, glad to have Wyvern’s company at this dark hour.

But the two of them were not alone. The nightjar dove again, making the trademark noise and drawing Treepie’s attention to a pale figure huddled by the lakeshore. The wolf went still, tipping her nose into the air in an effort to catch a scent. She thought to call out, though the stranger appeared to be asleep…