Firefly Ravine there in the smoke

@Other Shore

she could not go north—the glacier was a threat.

she could not go east—what remained of the qeya? that would be too easy; anyone of the saatsine could find her, find them there. no.

the babe squirmed in her grip and she loosed a rumble, unaware of such a reaction in herself, but the child gives a little cry and sulukinak feels the urge to shake her quiet. no, she can't do that either.

and then there is nowhere else to run!
the sudden chasm in the earth cuts across her path, and sulukinak must stop to think; to catch her breath; to find a way to cross—and wildly, her wide eyes flicker with uncertainty.