Redhawk Caldera ...and then everything goes screaming off the rails and it's our asses.

She faltered briefly and appeared to be about to slow down, only to crank up the speed again a second later. This time it was Elwood's turn to hesitate and alter his gait as Towhee shouted something about Phox -- whose unexplained absence hadn't gone unnoticed by Elwood -- and veered toward him.

He didn't have a chance to move out of her way and instead braced himself as she collided with him. He wasn't quite sure what to expect, and while he stumbled backward a few steps, he managed to stay upright as Towhee slumped against him. He could feel the convulsions of her body as she began to cry, and that alarmed him more than her initial attack.

Elwood shifted to embrace her, his ears splaying as he empathized with his goddaughter. Out of all of the firebirds, she and Phox had the closest bond, so it was no wonder that she was so upset about his disappearance. Glancing up as Fiadh arrived, looking bewildered but ready for battle, he licked gently between Towhee's ears and then addressed his daughter, shaking his head. "Not yet," he said, glancing at Colt, who had dropped back and was watching the scene unfold with some unease.