The Stone Circles

The dust began to slow, but it was still coming. It began to wrap around Sunlit's heart.

C'mon, dammit. Amaro worked at her host's brain.

The dust struck Sunlit's heart, and Sunlit's body hit the ground, struggling. But then the dust halted. Sunlit smiled.

Amaro suddenly felt herself being shaken violently.

Sunlit threw her head back, and vomited. Her purple eyes were dull.

Amaro now had the feeling as if dust was clung to her throat. She began to hack violently, and decided to hold out for just a bit more. If she had to, she would leave.

Unifirth watched, flinching at the action.

Tynoka had flinched away, not looking.

"Well, that was fun wasn't it?" Sunlit asked in a croaky voice.

I'll admit, yer better than I thought.

"Grandma?" called Unfirth nervously.

The old wolf conceded, and suddenly she was standing by Sunlit, hacking out the dust.

Sunlit was still laid down, breathing heavily.

Amaro finished coughing and flicked a wing at her grandson. "What the hell are ya standing around for, boy? Geddup."

Quickly, he stood straight.

Tynoka flinched a little.
"What was the point in that?" She hissed in the direction of Sunlit, "We need to reclaim Starcliff!"

"Two outa three." Sunlit muttered, watching Amaro with interest, "I like her."

Amaro's pelt was dust covered. She shook herself until it was clean. "Damned dust...didn't expect that." The tired elder looked at Unfirth. "What were you doin' while I was in there, boy? Standing around uselessly?"
Unfirth didn't attempt to argue, simply nodded. She complained about his inactivity every time she fought; it was nothing new.

"I'm glad you two enjoyed your tussle." Tynoka attempted bravely.

"Hell, she ain't bad, I'll giver her that." Amaro turned and scrutinized Tynoka. "Did the same thing as this idiot, I'm 'sposin'."

"I'm guessing you'd be too proud to accept help, both of you." Tynoka just muttered.

Sunlit climbed to her paws.

Amaro was a little deaf from dust in her ear, so she didn't hear Tynoka's remark. Unifirth did, though, and hid a grin.

"I like you." Sunlit announced, loudly, "You had a good game there."

"Y'ain't bad yerself, whippersnapper." She shook her head to clear the dust.

"Interesting word, that." Sunlit replied, coughing a little.

Tynoka rolled her eyes, and all the left-over dust became water.

"My ma always said that." Amaro's ears thankfully emptied of the water. Unifrth watched in surprise and, perhaps, with some envy.

"My mother was weird." Sunlit replied.

Tynoka sighed.

Amaro swung her head around at Tynoka. "The hell are you sighing for?"

"Nothing." Tynoka hung her head.

Amaro squinted at her for a moment, then turned to Sunlit. "So where the hell can I take my grandson?"

"Anywhere. Nobody seems to care round 'ere." Sunlit shrugged.