The Sunspire [m] sun born

once she did almost fall, slipping dangerously upon the stone necklace which hugged the neck of the mountain. any further and the air would thin too much for a run. it was here she veered right, leading her companion upon a series of leaping vaults which the pale panther took in full stride.

her breath, caught in mouthfuls when muskrat landed in another almost-sprawl on the far side, and felt her legs made jellied for a third time though the reason was different. the rain was good upon her face; the fire sparked in her again. "sacsayhuamán," she said at last for the stranger's soaring step, her voice a husky song, her tongue offering a word that flowed so near to what the other was that the gods surely smiled to see it.

an approach on fluted feet, fiery wings, pressing the other lightly back against the mountainside while lightning flashed over the forests far below them now.