Sisters call on the wind.

It had Faolán moving before he could put much thought into the action. The world was in chaos, crying out in agony. It hurt him to his core to see the earth treated so cruelly. The spirits were restless, and so was he.

Runes, runes, runes.

The words echoed in his mind as he bounded after Saorlaith. Leaving the Rise? This was their first great adventure, and he barreled forward without hesitation.

Following the scent and call of his dear sister, she eventually came into view against the snowy backdrop of the glade.

Saorlaith! You called? What are you doing out here?

As he slowed, his back legs trembled before giving out beneath him. With a yelp, he crumpled to the ground, chest heaving from the exertion of chasing after his sibling.

It frustrated him that his hind legs were still so weak, no matter how much he worked them. Something he would have to live with for the rest of his life, Mama had said.

Pushing himself up onto his haunches, he brushed away the snow that clung to his fur.

You didn’t see that, he murmured, embarrassed.