Redhawk Caldera freedom & freedom

Ruenna wasn't completely heartless-- far from it. She pulled back from the child, giving in to her pleas for mercy. Although Sphyra probably thought that Rue was an ancient old crone, the Redfern had been a child herself only a few short years ago. She hadn't forgotten the inexorable vulnerability of being tickled.

"Stars, you know what I'd like right now? A big, juicy bone. Yep, I think I could eat one up completely..." Ruenna made a show of looking around, and then "spotting" Sphyra's prize bone sitting on the ground, where she'd dropped it by the bush. "Oh, yum! I could eat that in one bite!" Of course, Ruenna wasn't about to swallow a bone whole, but Sphyra didn't know that. She just wanted to put some pep in the girl's step, and initiate a little race.

They were probably pretty well matched for speed, truth be told. Even though Sphyra had to take three steps for every one of Rue's, the Regent's limp slowed her down considerably.