Swiftcurrent Creek snips and snails

She tried, bless her, but that day would not be the day that Meara Sveijarn learned to walk - at least not with any grace or dignity. Worse still, she failed to recognize that the fall had twisted her just enough to see the mouth of the den, where a white, blue-eyed stranger was staring curiously into the den.

"Eeo? Is that the best you've got?" she giggled, wiggling her head to grab the pup's attention. "Hey! Look here!"