Circe's sacred forest is a place where wounded and hunted animals can find sanctuary. She and her long-time companions — a one-eyed wolf, a cat with a limp, and a tailless mouse — have lived quietly until a wounded young man wanders into her woods, followed by those who are hunting him. When the All-Mother lets Circe know that she must help Tiernan, the best she can do is to send her friends to protect him, though they cannot go in their animal forms.