The Heartwood when I saw you first

Moonglow was the only thing on her mind.

She needed to make it back, to see Nasamiituuq and tell her she was safe, to tell her what had happened, to tell her that she had been right.

There was nothing more that she wanted now than to run far, far away with her dear, to settle down somewhere they would both be safe and take a break from exploring - at least for a while. She had learned her lesson, and it was one she did not wish for anyone else to have to learn in such a vile way.

Her mind drifted back to her home, of the cold seasons camps and the summers search for a new home. She longed to have such a life again, and maybe she could, just not yet.

Clearing her mind, the gilded woman bounded westward.

what qiao first mistook for a fawn was a woman moving between tall spears of birch.

if this one had any denomination, qiao could not scent it.

falling in step shortly behind her, qiao followed her westward trajectory with one clipped ear turned forward.