Moonspear Listen children

She was selfishly relieved when Tikaani reported she’d only been venturing further up the mountainside. Treepie glanced past her toward the peak, then refocused her yellow eyes on her friend’s face. For reasons she probably wouldn’t be able to explain to herself, much less anybody else, she flung herself at Tiki again, hugging her tightly.

Pulling back once more, Pie drew in a great big breath and felt some of the negative emotions melt away. Tikaani hadn’t disappeared. She hadn’t even left the mountain. And she was more than willing to help Tiuttuk face her fears. There was still the distinct possibility it wouldn’t work but just being with her best friend went a long way to settling the adolescent’s emotions.

What else did you do up there? she asked. It wasn’t hard to set aside the plans to leave—especially when the thought came with such dread—but Pie was also genuinely curious to hear more. I’ve never gone very high. I don’t like cold or wet things, so snow is… no thank you, she remarked with a small, dry laugh.