Blackfeather Woods I’m not dead I only dress this way.

moved forward in time per request so Moonshadow can learn the news

Her smile faded quickly at the name Moonshadow offered, her ears drooping and face growing quite solemn. She felt suddenly as if she had a piece of bone or gristle caught in her throat, and cleared it, eyes watering a little bit. She hated being the bearer of bad news.

I'm so sorry, Lilitu said quietly. Maegi died recently. I think she was sick. She lived with us at Akashingo; there are other wolves there that could tell you more.

She'd never really interacted with the gaunt woman; she'd found her quite spooky, really. But her status as a royal had marked her an undoubtedly important figure, and for someone like Moonshadow to have come looking for her after all this time, it spoke volumes.

The human promises she's not just waxing poetic about her dead character.

I can lead you there? she offered.