Blacktail Deer Plateau Chase the wind and touch the sky

they were running, truly running, and Cas was finding the tree-crowded course a much bigger challenge than he had envisioned. yet he kept pace with her -- he had been born here, and knew already every causeway and shortcut there was. a leap over a boulder; a slip under a branch hanging at medium height. their paws pounded the earth. Pearl had fallen back a pace or two, but the boy knew she could easily catch up, and shot her a tongue-lolling glance of mockery in answer.

they were nearing the edge of the plateau; soon the two must veer right or left to avoid going over the edge, quite possibly to their doom. Cas readied himself; off to one side of the cliff-face was a tiny deerpath, and this he would take in a snaking run into the flatlands. he wondered what the girl would do.