Totoka River The Pig God

the little wraith wheezed, clouds of dirt rising above her struggling form. several times her hind end kicked out abruptly and her front limb circumducted alone in the air -- there was a high, strangled gasp as her lungs suddenly opened again and a torrent of air flew down her starved throat.

flying to her feet (albeit shakily) the waif fixed her disoriented gaze on the tumult in front of her. ganondorf still held the stone, and in a matter of seconds had bludgeoned merrick with his head. astara's eyes sharpened as gradually her view became more clear: gasping roughly, she bound to merrick's prone side and stepped over him protectively. her breath came in staggered gasps, but she lifted her head and bared her teeth, prepared to snap if ganondorf approached merrick.

the stone was important, and she would kill ganondorf for his treason, but merrick was her friend, and she would not let him be beaten senseless by the auburn brute.