Northstar Vale I know a woman who should’ve known better.

She left Phox at Wraen’s Nest and walked back to the roost hidden beneath the willows on the other side of the spring. Once, it had been among Towhee’s favorite places in the world. Now, it just reminded her of everything her little family had lost.

She found @Jack Snipe outside the door. He was unusually quiet and still as she approached. Towhee caught his eye and then nudged his shoulder. She would save their talk for last. Aside from her, he would be the one taking this the hardest.

Towhee took a steadying breath and stepped inside. @Towhee Jr was fast asleep on the goatskin, sprawled beside a well-chewed scrap of hide. @Sable might have claimed it had she not distracted him with a nudge to get his attention.

-“Come with me,”- she said, turning and walking right back outside, past Jack—who would keep an eye on his dozing baby sister—before hanging a left.

She paused there to look backward, ensuring Sable was right behind her.