The Crest was bustling with activity. What little frost lingered on the territories edges was melting away, the light of the sun strong enough to penetrate the cold and fog. The air was still sharp with winter, however, blowing in from over the vast ocean and misting their breaths against the sunlight. Something hummed here, in the trees, in the dirt. A blending of energies and changes that signaled the start of something new and beautiful.
One wouldn't think Spring to be her favorite season, and yet the Elder was currently at the Grove Of Rebirth, lovingly tending and whispering to the new saplings that had sprouted from the cold ground. Even now, with Winters chill still playing upon the breezes, they reached their tender new leaves towards the sun. However, even with life beginning to unfurl all around her, she could not help but feel a distinct absence. Pestilence had come to her as a young buck, eager and passionate. He had poured his very being into the Mothborn, and particularly into being a Piecemaker. He understood the sacred duty for what it was, and there was nowhere else he'd rather be. Tattered ears perked forward, listening as her cool green gaze went from face to face. More and more she had noticed him slipping away for longer stretches of time. It was very unlike him to leave his work for so long, she knew he felt very strongly about it, and so Rot had surmised that only something truly important had ensnared his attentions. She cast that cool, knowing gaze towards the pools, and beyond.
"Elder," A voice called to her, redirecting her thoughts. Leech, one of her scouts, approached her along with two others. She dipped her head to them in acknowledgement. "He's still within the territory, at the farthest western point. He leaves only to fetch food or water, and there's a different scent on the wind." Leech reports, the mangled side of his face taught with something like tension. Dear Leech, hotheaded and protective, and at one point quite jealous of Pestilence. She offers him a gentling smile as his eyes narrow. "Shall my scouts bring him in?"
Rot weaves her way around the saplings, giving a single shake of her antlered head. " I think I will see to this matter personally. You've leave to return to your regular rounds." She says softly, steps sure as she moves from the soil of the Crest to the shallows of the marsh. Her tone leaves no room for arguments and Leech can only watch as her form fades in with the mists.
@Blinded By Silence @Lirilei 
His question brought a smile to her face and there was a low note of affectionate amusement coming from her. "I don't think you'll miss them. I'm close but not that close. You can tend to anything you need to, for some time before you have to worry about that. Both today, and in days to come." she'd been in this position before, knew what she was feeling, knew her body. There was time yet.