Dragoncrest Cliffs and be yourself my ally in love’s battle

She didn't wonder long. Vex volunteered as tribute and there was no time for Haunt to properly acknowledge this before the race began. Her stomach tied itself in knots as her brother disappeared into the sea. Njord and Merlin went too, though she could scarcely pay them any attention as her attention transfixed on Vex.

Haunt noticed Njord's victory in her periphery, though she still kept her eyes on her brother until he, too, climbed out of the water. Haunt raced to his side after he flopped on the sand, trying to get the image of the wave crashing over his head out of her mind's eye. She swore her soul had left her body for a moment.

She dropped down beside him and began to lick the saltwater from his fur to help dry and warm him. Between licks, she remembered the two other swimmers. Njord had won, meaning Vex and Merlin had lost. Haunt's eyes cast around the beach for the latter's red figure but didn't see him.