manner. He and the ilon came by a different route, which took them longer. Those sizeable animals could never have made it through the tunnel we took.

    She stopped and stood with the ravens, watching as Runagar and the foxes sauntered across the cave’s floor and halted near the central bridge. She told the birds to stay where they were, then moved closer to the animals. Several kirins were untying the bindings holding Talli and Hut, who were then lowered gently to stretchers on the floor. To Diliani’s relief they appeared unharmed by the trek.

    She went back to the birds. Leading them toward the stone bridge, she noted that the kirins were strapping Hut and Talli securely to the stretchers, and wondered why. Faralan and Lisam were distressed at seeing their young m...

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