Bearclaw Valley we'd be shaking like a leaf with every god-given night

all tranquility was shattered as indra caught sight of laurel: her sister need not even speak, and indra already knew grief was upon them. it was her sister's grave expression that heralded it; an unwelcome and unusual expression on a face that normally, was so reassured and proud.

indra felt her heart sink. lucas? gone? she felt something sink in her legs too, like a heavy liquid suddenly being poured into a narrow chamber. she wanted to speak, to confirm -- but she already knew from laurel's grim expression that there could be no other answer.

lucas, gone?

she looked at the remaining children, all present save for the cheery piebald boy. already laurel had moved away from indra, franctically searching along the ground for any detectable trace of her son.

indra willed her legs to move, but they were resolutely heavy; eventually her will won over and she rocked into action, canvassing the glade in rapid, desperate sweeps.