Stone Circle Dusk will reveal...

Merrit shifted and turned to blink at his mother’s nudge. The push urged him forward, but he had no intent to budge. He would not leave Keen if the presence of the others instilled her with fear. Surely she knew that.

While his loyalty stood by Keen, his attention fixed outward, and his baby blue eyes warmed when he lit upon Arlette’s beelined approach. His throat rumbled with a hum in response to the soft melody she murmured, an extension of comfort he hoped would collectively soothe their timid sister. If she felt fear in being alone, then perhaps they could move to meet these giants together.

He wasn’t afraid, after all, and neither was Arlette. So when one giant brushed close enough to brisk her nose across he and his sister’s paws, Merrit edged toward her with paw extended, until he touched his pearly toes to the snout of the upside down giant. They could reach the giants one at a time, if his sister would will it - and he pitched his head to turn with a calm beckon for Keen to follow his lead and reach out to touch the giant herself.