Sawtooth Spire a single spark that claims the whole forest

Sleep's soft touch still lingered across Phaedra's worried brow. She brushed aside his concern and subsequent suggestion, casting a sorrowful whisper for her brother into the thrumming night.

Stag had no words to adequately sum up the heartpiercer that was witnessing such a futile gesture. His jaws slackened and then closed, as if he were to say something and thought better of it. At the bottom of his gut and heart, a darkness pooled: he knew what was in store.

"I sleep outside here now." Stag opted for transparency, reaching to give the girl a soft brush of his muzzle. "You should go back to sleep. I will look for Thade." Even though he knew the dreadful truth: Thade was gone, and if Wylla could not find him, Stag had no chance.