Dawnlark Plains and she's buying a stairway to heaven

Timberlake flicked an irritated ear toward his father, hearing how he sided with Cliffey and not with him. The sturdy little ball of chocolate fuzz continued his assault, twisting, trying to pin Radcliffe to the ground. The younger brother was persistent, though, and Timberlake was surprised. Behind him, he heard Shale laugh, delight in his voice.

Shale, for his part, was merely a spectator; he wouldn't intervene unless needed. After all, boys were boys. Rough and tumble. And Padma was right there with them, long-legged and strong. He was a little surprised she hadn't joined the game, but perhaps she would make a late entrance. Meadow was sweet like her mother--but sweetness didn't necessarily mean a lack of vigor. She was just as strong as the others.

God, they were perfect! He couldn't stop thinking about it. How the gods had seen fit to bless him once more, after the catastrophe that was his past. He knew others were not as fortunate. Some fell, and never got up again. He didn't know what he had done to deserve all of this.