Redhawk Caldera her blood is our blood, too, i know

For @Dove ... set during Fox's birthing thread~

Magpie grew restless as the days went on, as her mind came back to clarity, her headaches coming further and further apart. Her cuts and bruises were healing, but her ribs and ankle still caused her pain. She could even catch hints of light in her wounded eye, the swelling finally beginning to go down. The yearling was by no means fully recovered— that would take quite some time— but she was clearly out of the woods. She was lucky that her head injury hadn't been worse, or she might have been too far gone to be of value to this caldera; or even this world.

As much as she needed to remain still and allow her body to heal, she was loathe to be still for long. Fox's litter would be coming any day now, and that knowledge brought Magpie an endless supply of anxiety. She was unable to hunt in her current state, the duties Peregrine had demanded of her forced to wait— at the worst possible time, it seemed. At least she had brought a goat home (or so she'd been told, for the details surrounding the event were hazy). Besides, she told herself, moving her body would be good for it.

En route the the caldera's lake, Magpie keyed in on a commotion near the part of the territory claimed by the Alphas for their den— the tell-tale cries, whines, growls, and voices filled with intensity. She altered her course, moving quickly as she was able, until she was along the shore closest to their den. It was a generous berth, but near enough that she would be able to provide them with (relatively) quick aid should it be necessary.

She whined her anxiety, limping back and forth along the shoreline, ears directed toward the sound of the birthing den. It was a momentous day; a beautiful day, but the violence of nature meant things could go frightfully wrong even in the most awe-striking moments.