Blacktail Deer Plateau i was lightning, before the thunder

Paging @Aditya, @Grayday, @Burr, and @Pema

Even with support from Aditya, the last leg of their journey was arduous, the child that they attempted to carry so carefully back home slowing their journey to the point that it took hours to reach the borders. When they did, Dawn slid down onto her chest, chest burning and exhaustion a heavy weight on her shoulders. She still managed to offer her companions a wild grin, happiness evident in the way her tail whacked the frost-covered earth, careful to avoid the child she'd placed between her and Pema.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before lurching to her paws, reclining on her haunches and immediately calling for her father, her voice breaking the silence over the plateau with joyous song, shuffling a little closer to Adi so that their fur touched, wanting to lean against him but resisting the temptation. Gradually she recovered her breath, and the little part of her that had worried for the plateau (especially in light of the new threats they had unearthed) was finally put at ease. Happiness was written across her face, even though she looked bedraggled, travel-worn and spotted here and there with the boy's blood.