They were settling in well in their little home on the rise. Kirain still couldn’t quite believe the relief of finally having a place to call her own. She had poured herself into tending the den and the surrounding area, so much so that it had become her entire world for a time. A break was long overdue.

So she wandered among the standing stones. Tall and unmoving, they held a quiet strength, a sense of ancient stillness that settled something deep inside her. She drew in a deep breath, savoring the crisp, fragrant air of spring.

As she meandered through the stones, her gaze softened at the lush growth around her, ferns unfurling, berries budding, moss thick and plush, flowers dancing in the breeze. Life was everywhere, thriving, and it filled her with quiet joy. A small, contented smile curved her lips as she took it all in.