Redhawk Caldera Spoiler recoil.

She hated to say it, though things became a little easier after Marten passed. Towhee mourned him, though strangely she did not plunge into a black depression like the one following her miscarriage. The Sovereign could not imagine what it would've been like to have six puppies. Half her litter was dead, though that would allow her to focus more on the three children remaining to her.

Towhee took a deep breath as she ponderously walked the caldera's rim on this gray, rainy morning. She paused to stare off into the distance and frowned as she thought of her Regents. She supposed she couldn't think of them like that anymore, not after so much time had passed. Quite possibly she should put someone else into those positions—she could certainly use the help and there were several great candidates—but doing that would feel too final, like she'd accepted they would never return.

She let out a sigh and closed her eyes a moment, then opened them and resumed her walk.

Maybe @Sifaka? But anyone's welcome! :)