Redsand Canyon the ritual pyre's sending smoke to the sky

this was not the position renard wanted to be in. they twisted, angling their jaws around as they searched for the next place to bite – and there were few of those guaranteed to release them while also not intended to be fatal.

they twisted in place for a moment, this way and that, and right before they could commit to their own attempt to buck him off, he released them, lurching to the side. renard’s head swiveled around after him – was he –

just like donovan had been in the forest, derg seemed to have gotten what he wanted. and from the collapse of his leg and the twist he had pulled to free his scruff from renard’s grip, they had as well.

also, the sun was still coming down, and combined with the exertion, they were fucking hot. they were willing to let it go.

“we do still have a walk to finish." renard inclined their muzzle in his direction as they slid past him and back into the water. “good fight.” a smile. “sorry about your neck.” the apology wasn’t particularly genuine, as they wouldn’t expect one to be for them, but it was polite.