Wheeling Gull Isle they are three together

As spring warmed into summer, a visitor appeared at her den.

The squawk woke her from an afternoon snooze, but she rarely slept too deeply anyway, too obsessed with watching over the children. Blinking, she stepped into the sun (hey, isn't that a song?) and immediately found her heart in her throat and her jaw hanging toward the ground.

Blue! she exclaimed, and the grackle gave a rusty creaking noise in reply. Maegi beamed at the bird, then cocked her head. What took you so long? I missed you.

She realized too late. Of course Blue would have gone first to Onyx Hollow, then, finding it burned up, headed elsewhere. Who knows where he had searched for them; he would have known to come here, but after how long? And where was his family—if not his myriad children, then at least his mate?

And it wasn't like they spoke the same language, anyway. She sheepishly shook her head. Sorry. It's. . .good to see you. I have missed you.

Anyone coming upon the scene would find Maegi talking to a bird.