Stavanger Bay her early leaf's a flower

She was comforted, to know that Szymon had come. Too, that he sounded so unaffected helped Doe draw herself up and speak less urgently to the girl they both loved. Nudging her gently toward the edge, Doe tried once again to explain what must be done.

"Yes, Appeh," she agreed, taking a few steps toward the edge herself. "Jump in the water and swim to Appeh, Qilaq."

Part of her wanted to push the girl. Part of her wanted to take her by the scruff and drag her back down to the sands. Mostly, though, she wished she had the words to make Qilaq see why this had to be done, and how best to do it. But Doe didn't know how to make the girl listen to her, and already the thought of what might happen to the girl was making it hard to speak.

But Szymon was here, and he believed she would be alright. She was strong, and older by half than the pups that normally weathered this trial.

"You'll be fine," Doe murmured, touching her nose to the girl's dark rump and giving another gentle push. There was no force behind these nudges - they were not meant to move the girl, but to tell her which direction she ought to go.