No distance felt far enough. The fact that the divide had nearly claimed both their lives still had every strand of fur on end. Adrenaline left them trembling, or was it simply terror? It didn’t matter.

Soon Stardust stumbled, scraping her knee as she went down.

Spitting the rune aside for a moment, Kirain moved to help her back to her feet. Stardust, we can’t stay here! We have to warn the others! What if another fissure splits the Rise? The children, the pack, the envoy! We have to go!

The frantic edge in her voice was unbecoming of a Toisiche, but all she could picture was her family being swallowed by the earth. The spirits were furious. They had to repent, had to apologize, make offerings, something..

But Stardust spoke, and Kirain’s spiral faltered.

Stardust… Her voice softened instantly as she moved closer, pressing to her companion’s side. Shh… you’re okay. Everything is okay…

She reached up, gently preening along her cheek and neck, trying to soothe the tears slipping from those lovely cyan eyes.

We’re okay, darling… but we have to keep moving. I know you’re scared, but Camhanaich needs us. As soon as we’re back and everyone is safe, I’ll see your injuries tended to, and then we can rest, alright? Can you stand for me?

There was a quiet plea in her voice.

Behind them, the fissure cracked and crumbled, the sound tightening its icy grip around her chest.