Dawnlark Plains pocket full of posies

He shook his head slightly at her question, unable to answer it with his mouth full. Instead, he continued to race through a clear path--or, at least as clear of a path there was through this fire. It was hot, so incredibly hot. Some spoke of an underworld, after death, and Shale wondered then whether this was similar. It certainly was insufferable.

On the way out, he passed his mate, shepherding Meadow along. He had just enough time to give her a loving look and press his forehead to her shoulder before taking off again, hoping she'd be right behind him. The pair of them looked none the worse for wear--but should they lag behind, he would return to help them.

He deposited Padma in the Maplewood and looked around the forest for a bit, trying to catch Timberlake's scent. When he did not find it, Shale sucked in a grave breath and returned to the plains, back into the fire.

He would not rest until all of his children were safe.