Kethri managed to get to the tunnel in a decent amount of time, and gently set the children down before fluffing up her feathers and sitting atop them like a brood hen, her body warm. She looked down and peered at the two curiously, head cocked, before looking ahead.

”You you two prepared for the journey ahead? There will be lots of flying,” she said, ”If you need to eat, then I'll catch something or set you down somewhere to do so. We have to get home quickly.”

She didn't say why, but there was an ominous tone to her voice. Dread, perhaps? She, of course, would explain when they arrived, and would find a hollow to hide them in, but for now she'd let them stay ignorant.

”Are you thirsty?”, she finally asked, ”I can melt snow for you to drink.”

Eating straight now would lead to hypothermia quickly.