Faye wandered on out of the snowy northern wasteland, not only frozen from head to feet, but now weak from hunger and delusional from fatigue. When she finally reached the edge of the icy tundra, the weather warmed up and she could see more animals out and about.

She walked on, hoping to find some suitable flowers to bring back to Jude. But she knew that she couldn't go much further without food and rest.

Faye sought out suitable shelter, and when she found a large sterdy tree, she collapsed under the shade. Just as she was closing her eyes, a swooshing shadow came out of the tree and circled the air around her. Faye wanted to move and escape whatever animal this was that would surely overtake her in her weakened state. But her muscles wouldn't budge and her eyelid were heavy like bricks.

She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Liberty blinked his ever-glaring eyes as he circled a collapsed animal at the border to his land.

He had seen many creatures on his travels, and yet he had never seen something like this before. He had always imagined there were strange creatures in the world, simply waiting to be discovered, and this confirmed his predictions. She appeared to be an herbivore, posing no threat to any wildlife in the area. She also appeared to be female, but he would have to get closer to confirm this.

Helping damsels in distress wasn't regularly in the job description for an elderly raptor like himself, but this was an opportunity to sate his own curiosity. Who was she? Or, perhaps more importantly, what was she? If he didn't find out now, it would eat at him for the rest of his miserable existence.

Drifting down beside her with his magnificent wingspan, he pecked lightly at her limp body.