the journey through the mountains has been fruitless thus far. she found a valley, but the scent of bear was far too heavy to even consider stopping by. tashkent is a brave girl, but bears are strong, and she values her family (not to mention her own life). and she is not made for the mountains; she cannot stand not running, the lack of open space. it is hellish and cold, here.

but, oh! the land below her is magnificent. rolling plains as far as the eye can see or mind can comprehend, dotted with herds of buffalo. her eyes luminous, tasha begins to pluck her way down, taking careful, measured steps on the descent. all the while, her heart races with excitement.

this is where it will all begin. where khorasan will have a fresh start. except--no. khorasan is her father's dominion. this place will be called karakorum, a word that feels good and right and sweet in her mouth. karakorum. and they will thrive, and conquer--

all the buffalo they can eat! an all you can eat buffalo buffet--

she laughs, and steps down, only for her stomach to sink as her paw hits empty air.

thrown off balance, she scrabbles to maintain footing but cannot get a hold on the slippery rock. she tumbles down, down, down NO! down NO! down THIS WASN'T MEANT TO END THIS WAY! down down down

feels a split second of impact, and then all is darkness, and everything is nothing.