Ravenshook Cliffs Lassie 2.0

As soon as Towhee gripped the top part of the tree and grunted something Niamh couldn’t understand, Niamh began to pull. It was an arduous effort, and she constantly battled against losing her footing and being drawn too close to the cliffside. Her grip did not lessen- having the rooted end gave her an advantage, as the bulk of it pressed against her cheek and gave her leverage. 

Slowly, though, she made progress, and just in time. Her teeth felt as though they were being ripped from her skull and it was only when X’s wings appeared above the edge of the cliff that she completely forgot her pain and gripped tighter, pulling until she saw Towhee grip the edge and lurch over it. Niamh fell backwards, still clamping onto the tree. Blood dripped from her mouth and when she finally let go, and looked down, she saw one of her canines on the ground. Adrenaline kept the pain quiet, but the taste of metallic blood as it dripped freely from the empty socket on the upper left side mesmerized her for a moment. 

Still in a state of shock, she moved toward Towhee with staggering steps- muscles completely spent and vibrating from the strain. She was still hanging onto the alder’s thin, limber trunk, so Niamh gently nudged the top of her head before she lay down beside her friend, practically crumpling to the ground, unable still to comprehend what had just happened.