Ocean's Breath Plateau Don’t close your eyes.

Dutch laughed, delighted to find Raindrop so cheerful and outgoing. "Certainly," he agreed, "I am greatly pleased to meet you at last."

As for how he knew Sumac — the panther was still not quite sure how much he ought to say. He settled for what he'd said to Rodyn: "You husband is a brother to me," he said to her. He saw fit to explain a little further: "Through my mother. She loves him dearly, and she asked that we look after one another. And if he is my family, then you must surely be as well. So this — " he placed his paw gently over the bundle " — is for you. Grouse eggs, to help your children grow strong."

Not that she seemed to need it! She was as round as Minnow, and Dutch found himself hoping that they could be come fast friends. He wanted to be allowed in to see her and Sumac's children as soon as he could!

"I will carry it for you," he declared. "If you will tell me a little more about yourself on the way?"