Gyrfalcon's Keep in the forests of the night

Sugar and @Opalia moved hastily north, crossing field and pasture, exchanging a few words here and there but mostly saving their breath to sustain a quick pace. They didn't slow down or stop even once until they reached the base of the keep just before daybreak. She hated to rouse @Stryx and @Praimfaya so early, so she motioned for her companion to slow and keep quiet as they approached.

When they reached the makeshift rendezvous point, the first fingers of morning sunlight draped warm on their backs. The keep's namesake birds circled overhead, fresh from their roost and hunting for breakfast. Sugar ignored their distant cries as she moved forward to check on the patient, before stepping aside to let Opalia have a look at her long lost friend.

Title from "The Tyger" by William Blake.