Spotted Eagle Mountain i'm going home

It wasn't a "no". . .but it was far from a "yes."

I don't wanna leave you behind again, Killdeer replied, frowning. Her discomfort was evident. What's up, Ma? I promise we don't have to swim—there's a sandbar at low tide that we can use to get there. We discovered that last time.

Well, not before he almost drowned. But. Yeah.

He cocked his head. I want you with me, he said quietly. We don't have to go if you don't want to.

Even if it crushed him to have to stay behind, and think of Caracal waiting for his visit indefinitely.