Blacktail Deer Plateau mandrake paddle steamer

backdated to afternoon of the 10th. here is your YULE INVITATION!

As the solstice drew near, Lily got to thinking of her mother. Their mother, now that Freddie was here. She was a keen woman with an eye for the stars, and she knew the moon like her own mind. The most important night to Janis was the winter solstice--the longest evening of the year. There was something magical about this velvet darkness that went on and on. Janis had called it Yule.

And there was much singing and dancing, tale-telling and laughing--and food! So much food. The hunters worked hard for days to fell as many deer as they could, and those carcasses, plus myriad small game, were all gathered to enjoy. They all were merry under the stars.

She missed it. But why miss what she could have? So, leaving a brief word with Khali, she set off.

The first pack she meant to invite was this one, on the plateau. The mountains didn't take so terribly long to cross, which was good. She took the route Ruenna had given her. Time was of the essence. But there was another reason why she came here first.

Liri. She hadn't seen the woman in quite some time, and while there was petty resentment in her heart for the healer's abrupt departure from Bracken Sanctuary, Lily wasn't a monster. She wanted to see how she and Kavik were faring in their new home. It would be so wonderful to have them and their pack take part in the festivities.

New beginnings in mind, she lifted her head and howled, an excited smile curling the corners of her lips.

Maybe Mum could even hear her all the way out here. Maybe she'd be proud.