The holiday of Winterwreath has come once again, though not everyone is celebrating.

Today’s story is “Winterwreath” by J.S. Hawthorne, who keeps wandering off on sidequests, and whose work can be found in “The Wideness of the World” and other anthologies by the Furry Historical Fiction Society. You can read more about Micah and Tarr in Tales from the Guild: Blood and Water, available now from Fenris Publishing.

Read by Apollo Brightflank, who still returns to the prairie.

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If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/winterwreath-by-j-s-hawthorne

Speaker: 00:00:00

You’re

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listening

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to

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The

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Voice

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of

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Dog.

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This

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is

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Rob

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MacWolf,

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your

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fellow

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traveler,

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and

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Today’s

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story

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is “Winterwreath” by

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J.S.

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Hawthorne,

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who

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keeps

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wandering

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off

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on

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sidequests,

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and

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whose

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work

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can

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be

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found

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in “The

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Wideness

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of

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the

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World”

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and

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other

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anthologies

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by

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the

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Furry

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Historical

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Fiction

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Society.

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You

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can

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read

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more

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about

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Micah and Tarr in

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Tales

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from

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the

Guild: 00:00:30

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Blood

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and

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Water,

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available

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now

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from

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Fenris

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Publishing.

Read

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by

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Apollo

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Brightflank,

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who

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still

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returns

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to

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the

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prairie.

Please

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enjoy


“Winterwreath”

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by

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J.S.

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Hawthorne

"Is

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it

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snowing?"

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Micah

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asked,

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craning

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his

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neck

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out

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of

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the

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open

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window

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to

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see

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past

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the

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eaves

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of

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the

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Guildhouse.

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His

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large,

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triangular

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ears

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flitted

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back

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and

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forth

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in

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interest.

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He

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was

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a

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coyote,

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tan

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furred

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and

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dark eyed.
"Have you

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never

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seen snow

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before?"

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His

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fiance,

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Tarr,

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asked with

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a

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little

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laugh. "I

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thought

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Shan

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was

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a

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cold

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place?"

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He

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was

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a

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blue

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jay

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with

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vibrant

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blue

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and

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black

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feathers

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and

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eyes

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of

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liquid

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gold.
Micca

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stuck

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his

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tongue

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out

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at

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the

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bird.
"It's

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cold

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but

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dry,"

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said

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Levak,

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the

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third

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of

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their

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quintet,

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a

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heavyset

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lion

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with

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a

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mane

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dyed

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bright

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green

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to

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match

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emerald

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eyes.

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Lounging

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in

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a

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throne-like armchair

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near

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the

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wall

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of

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bookshelves,

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he

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had

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his

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nose

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buried

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in

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a

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book

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and

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did

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not

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pause

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reading

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as

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he

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explained. "The

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Plains

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of

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Shan

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rarely

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get

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above about

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ten

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degrees,

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and

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in

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winter

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it

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plunges

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well

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below

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freezing,

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but

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it

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only

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gets

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a

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few

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days

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of

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precipitation

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each

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year."

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He

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briefly

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raised

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his

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baleful

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green

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gaze

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to

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settle

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on

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Tarr. "Shouldn't

Guild: 00:01:48

you

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know

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about

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your

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husband's

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homeland?"
Their

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fourth, Emmora,

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allowed

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a

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faint

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chuckle.

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She

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was

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a

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little

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taller

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than

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Tarr.

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When

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they

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had

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first

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met,

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she

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had

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been

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a

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fairly

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ordinary

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sooty

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falcon.

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She

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had,

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long

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ago,

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found

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a

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rare

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item

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in

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an

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obscure

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dungeon

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in

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the

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cliffs

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of

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Last

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Peak

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that

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had

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allowed

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her

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to

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transform

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into

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a

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stellite,

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the

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mythical

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original

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inhabitants

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of

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the

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world.

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Now,

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her

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body

Guild: 00:02:14

was

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nearly

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translucent,

Guild: 00:02:16

her

Guild: 00:02:16

feathers

Guild: 00:02:17

made

Guild: 00:02:17

of

Guild: 00:02:17

stellar

Guild: 00:02:17

clouds

Guild: 00:02:18

dotted

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with

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glowing

Guild: 00:02:19

stars,

Guild: 00:02:20

her

Guild: 00:02:20

talons

Guild: 00:02:21

faintly

Guild: 00:02:22

glowing

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blue

Guild: 00:02:22

constellations,

Guild: 00:02:24

her

Guild: 00:02:24

beak

Guild: 00:02:25

a

Guild: 00:02:25

comet,

Guild: 00:02:26

and

Guild: 00:02:26

her

Guild: 00:02:26

eyes

Guild: 00:02:27

two

Guild: 00:02:27

endless

Guild: 00:02:28

black

Guild: 00:02:28

holes

Guild: 00:02:29

surrounded

Guild: 00:02:29

by

Guild: 00:02:30

a

Guild: 00:02:30

glowing

Guild: 00:02:30

red

Guild: 00:02:30

accretion

Guild: 00:02:31

disk.
"You

Guild: 00:02:33

really

Guild: 00:02:33

should

Guild: 00:02:33

be

Guild: 00:02:33

more

Guild: 00:02:33

serious

Guild: 00:02:34

about

Guild: 00:02:34

this,

Guild: 00:02:34

Tarr," Levak

Guild: 00:02:36

added

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in

Guild: 00:02:36

mild

Guild: 00:02:37

reproach.
Tarr

Guild: 00:02:38

began

Guild: 00:02:39

to

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protest

Guild: 00:02:39

but

Guild: 00:02:40

was

Guild: 00:02:40

cut

Guild: 00:02:40

short

Guild: 00:02:40

by

Guild: 00:02:40

Micah

Guild: 00:02:41

who,

Guild: 00:02:41

while

Guild: 00:02:42

attempting

Guild: 00:02:42

to

Guild: 00:02:42

get

Guild: 00:02:42

a

Guild: 00:02:42

better

Guild: 00:02:42

look

Guild: 00:02:43

at

Guild: 00:02:43

the

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snow

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past the long,

Guild: 00:02:44

low

Guild: 00:02:44

eaves,

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abruptly

Guild: 00:02:46

fell

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out

Guild: 00:02:46

of

Guild: 00:02:46

the

Guild: 00:02:46

window

Guild: 00:02:47

with

Guild: 00:02:47

a

Guild: 00:02:47

yelp.
Tarr

Guild: 00:02:48

rushed

Guild: 00:02:49

to

Guild: 00:02:49

the

Guild: 00:02:49

window,

Guild: 00:02:49

shouting Micah's name,

Guild: 00:02:50

while

Guild: 00:02:51

Levak just

Guild: 00:02:51

snorted.
"It's

Guild: 00:02:53

not

Guild: 00:02:54

nearly

Guild: 00:02:55

far

Guild: 00:02:55

enough

Guild: 00:02:55

to

Guild: 00:02:55

the

Guild: 00:02:55

ground

Guild: 00:02:56

to

Guild: 00:02:56

be

Guild: 00:02:56

fatal,"

Guild: 00:02:57

the

Guild: 00:02:57

lion

Guild: 00:02:57

said.
Below

Guild: 00:02:59

the

Guild: 00:02:59

window,

Guild: 00:03:00

the

Guild: 00:03:00

faintest

Guild: 00:03:01

dusting

Guild: 00:03:01

of

Guild: 00:03:01

snow

Guild: 00:03:01

had

Guild: 00:03:02

just

Guild: 00:03:02

begun

Guild: 00:03:02

to

Guild: 00:03:02

frost

Guild: 00:03:03

the

Guild: 00:03:03

dry

Guild: 00:03:03

grass

Guild: 00:03:04

the

Guild: 00:03:04

filled

Guild: 00:03:04

the

Guild: 00:03:04

space

Guild: 00:03:05

between

Guild: 00:03:05

the

Guild: 00:03:05

guild Hall

Guild: 00:03:06

and

Guild: 00:03:06

the

Guild: 00:03:06

next

Guild: 00:03:06

building.

Guild: 00:03:07

There

Guild: 00:03:07

was

Guild: 00:03:07

no

Guild: 00:03:07

sign

Guild: 00:03:08

of

Guild: 00:03:08

the

Guild: 00:03:08

coyote,

Guild: 00:03:09

which,

Guild: 00:03:09

itself,

Guild: 00:03:10

was

Guild: 00:03:10

a

Guild: 00:03:10

good

Guild: 00:03:10

omen.
"Micah?"

Guild: 00:03:13

Tarr

Guild: 00:03:13

shouted

Guild: 00:03:13

again,

Guild: 00:03:14

and

Guild: 00:03:14

was

Guild: 00:03:14

rewarded.
"Up

Guild: 00:03:16

here,

Guild: 00:03:16

pretty

Guild: 00:03:17

bird!"
The

Guild: 00:03:18

coyote

Guild: 00:03:19

was

Guild: 00:03:19

perched

Guild: 00:03:19

on

Guild: 00:03:20

the

Guild: 00:03:20

edge

Guild: 00:03:20

of

Guild: 00:03:20

the

Guild: 00:03:20

roof

Guild: 00:03:20

of

Guild: 00:03:20

the

Guild: 00:03:21

adjoining

Guild: 00:03:21

building,

Guild: 00:03:22

snow

Guild: 00:03:22

slowly

Guild: 00:03:23

settling

Guild: 00:03:23

into

Guild: 00:03:24

his

Guild: 00:03:24

sand-colored

Guild: 00:03:24

fur.

Guild: 00:03:25

Micah

Guild: 00:03:26

was

Guild: 00:03:26

grinning

Guild: 00:03:26

ear

Guild: 00:03:26

to

Guild: 00:03:27

ear,

Guild: 00:03:27

his

Guild: 00:03:27

tail

Guild: 00:03:28

wagging

Guild: 00:03:28

furiously

Guild: 00:03:29

behind

Guild: 00:03:29

him,

Guild: 00:03:30

sending

Guild: 00:03:30

more

Guild: 00:03:30

snow

Guild: 00:03:31

cascading

Guild: 00:03:31

down

Guild: 00:03:32

to

Guild: 00:03:32

the

Guild: 00:03:32

ground.

Guild: 00:03:33

He

Guild: 00:03:33

gave

Guild: 00:03:33

Tarr a

Guild: 00:03:34

wink,

Guild: 00:03:34

then

Guild: 00:03:35

tilted

Guild: 00:03:35

his

Guild: 00:03:35

head

Guild: 00:03:35

back

Guild: 00:03:36

to

Guild: 00:03:36

watch

Guild: 00:03:36

the

Guild: 00:03:36

sky.
Tarr

Guild: 00:03:38

watched

Guild: 00:03:39

for

Guild: 00:03:39

a

Guild: 00:03:39

moment,

Guild: 00:03:40

studying

Guild: 00:03:40

the

Guild: 00:03:40

happy

Guild: 00:03:40

grin

Guild: 00:03:41

on

Guild: 00:03:41

Micah's

Guild: 00:03:41

face,

Guild: 00:03:42

the

Guild: 00:03:42

subtle

Guild: 00:03:43

cock

Guild: 00:03:43

of

Guild: 00:03:43

the

Guild: 00:03:43

coyote's

Guild: 00:03:44

head.

Guild: 00:03:45

He

Guild: 00:03:45

had

Guild: 00:03:45

rarely

Guild: 00:03:45

seen

Guild: 00:03:46

Micah

Guild: 00:03:46

so

Guild: 00:03:46

simply

Guild: 00:03:47

contended,

Guild: 00:03:48

and

Guild: 00:03:48

felt

Guild: 00:03:48

a

Guild: 00:03:48

little

Guild: 00:03:48

stab

Guild: 00:03:49

of

Guild: 00:03:49

jealously

Guild: 00:03:49

that

Guild: 00:03:50

he

Guild: 00:03:50

had

Guild: 00:03:50

not

Guild: 00:03:50

been

Guild: 00:03:50

the

Guild: 00:03:50

cause

Guild: 00:03:51

of

Guild: 00:03:51

such

Guild: 00:03:51

glee.

Guild: 00:03:53

Still,

Guild: 00:03:53

he

Guild: 00:03:53

couldn't

Guild: 00:03:54

make

Guild: 00:03:54

himself

Guild: 00:03:54

interrupt

Guild: 00:03:55

the

Guild: 00:03:55

coyote's

Guild: 00:03:55

reverie.
They

Guild: 00:03:58

passed

Guild: 00:03:58

long

Guild: 00:03:58

moments

Guild: 00:03:59

in

Guild: 00:03:59

relative

Guild: 00:03:59

silence,

Guild: 00:04:01

Levak

Guild: 00:04:01

and

Guild: 00:04:01

Emmora

Guild: 00:04:02

immersed

Guild: 00:04:02

in

Guild: 00:04:03

their

Guild: 00:04:03

own

Guild: 00:04:03

pursuits,

Guild: 00:04:04

Tarr

Guild: 00:04:05

watching

Guild: 00:04:05

Micah,

Guild: 00:04:06

and

Guild: 00:04:06

Micah

Guild: 00:04:06

watching

Guild: 00:04:07

the

Guild: 00:04:07

sky,

Guild: 00:04:07

steadily

Guild: 00:04:08

turning

Guild: 00:04:08

paler

Guild: 00:04:09

as

Guild: 00:04:09

the

Guild: 00:04:09

snow

Guild: 00:04:09

settled

Guild: 00:04:10

on

Guild: 00:04:10

him.

Guild: 00:04:11

They

Guild: 00:04:11

might've

Guild: 00:04:11

continued

Guild: 00:04:12

for

Guild: 00:04:12

hours,

Guild: 00:04:13

if

Guild: 00:04:13

all

Guild: 00:04:13

four

Guild: 00:04:13

of

Guild: 00:04:13

them

Guild: 00:04:14

hadn't

Guild: 00:04:14

been

Guild: 00:04:14

startled

Guild: 00:04:15

nearly

Guild: 00:04:15

to

Guild: 00:04:15

death

Guild: 00:04:15

by

Guild: 00:04:15

the

Guild: 00:04:16

door

Guild: 00:04:16

slamming

Guild: 00:04:16

open

Guild: 00:04:17

to

Guild: 00:04:17

reveal

Guild: 00:04:17

the

Guild: 00:04:17

final

Guild: 00:04:18

member

Guild: 00:04:18

of

Guild: 00:04:18

their

Guild: 00:04:18

party.
Shayrha

Guild: 00:04:20

was

Guild: 00:04:20

a

Guild: 00:04:21

skunk,

Guild: 00:04:21

somewhat

Guild: 00:04:22

round

Guild: 00:04:22

and

Guild: 00:04:22

plush,

Guild: 00:04:23

with

Guild: 00:04:23

a

Guild: 00:04:23

rotating

Guild: 00:04:24

set

Guild: 00:04:24

of

Guild: 00:04:24

Illusions

Guild: 00:04:24

depending

Guild: 00:04:25

on

Guild: 00:04:25

her

Guild: 00:04:25

mood.

Guild: 00:04:26

That

Guild: 00:04:27

day,

Guild: 00:04:27

she

Guild: 00:04:27

had

Guild: 00:04:27

a

Guild: 00:04:27

subtle-for-her

Guild: 00:04:28

effect

Guild: 00:04:29

that

Guild: 00:04:29

caused

Guild: 00:04:29

her

Guild: 00:04:29

fur to

Guild: 00:04:30

ripple

Guild: 00:04:30

in

Guild: 00:04:30

a

Guild: 00:04:30

rainbow

Guild: 00:04:31

hue.

Guild: 00:04:32

It

Guild: 00:04:32

clashed

Guild: 00:04:33

horribly

Guild: 00:04:34

with

Guild: 00:04:34

the

Guild: 00:04:34

bright

Guild: 00:04:34

red

Guild: 00:04:35

armor

Guild: 00:04:35

she

Guild: 00:04:35

wore.
"You're

Guild: 00:04:37

late,"

Guild: 00:04:38

said

Guild: 00:04:38

Levak,

Guild: 00:04:39

not

Guild: 00:04:39

bothering

Guild: 00:04:39

to

Guild: 00:04:39

put

Guild: 00:04:39

down

Guild: 00:04:40

his

Guild: 00:04:40

book.
"Sorry!"

Guild: 00:04:42

Shayrha

Guild: 00:04:43

said.

Guild: 00:04:43

She

Guild: 00:04:44

was

Guild: 00:04:44

panting

Guild: 00:04:44

slightly,

Guild: 00:04:45

and

Guild: 00:04:45

holding

Guild: 00:04:45

onto

Guild: 00:04:46

the

Guild: 00:04:46

door

Guild: 00:04:46

jamb

Guild: 00:04:46

as

Guild: 00:04:46

she

Guild: 00:04:47

massaged

Guild: 00:04:47

a

Guild: 00:04:47

stitch

Guild: 00:04:48

in

Guild: 00:04:48

her

Guild: 00:04:48

side. "I

Guild: 00:04:49

lost

Guild: 00:04:49

track

Guild: 00:04:49

of

Guild: 00:04:50

time.

Guild: 00:04:51

Where's

Guild: 00:04:51

Micah?"
"Yippers!"

Guild: 00:04:54

Tarr

Guild: 00:04:54

yelled out to

Guild: 00:04:55

the

Guild: 00:04:55

coyote. "Shay's

Guild: 00:04:56

here,

Guild: 00:04:57

it's

Guild: 00:04:57

time

Guild: 00:04:57

to

Guild: 00:04:57

go!"
In

Guild: 00:04:59

one

Guild: 00:05:00

smooth

Guild: 00:05:00

motion,

Guild: 00:05:01

Micah

Guild: 00:05:01

climbed

Guild: 00:05:01

to

Guild: 00:05:01

his

Guild: 00:05:02

feet

Guild: 00:05:02

and

Guild: 00:05:02

then

Guild: 00:05:02

disappeared

Guild: 00:05:03

in

Guild: 00:05:03

a

Guild: 00:05:03

flash

Guild: 00:05:03

of

Guild: 00:05:04

blue

Guild: 00:05:04

lightning,

Guild: 00:05:04

only

Guild: 00:05:05

to

Guild: 00:05:05

reappear

Guild: 00:05:06

in

Guild: 00:05:06

another

Guild: 00:05:06

flash

Guild: 00:05:06

on

Guild: 00:05:06

the

Guild: 00:05:06

windowsill,

Guild: 00:05:07

his

Guild: 00:05:08

muzzle

Guild: 00:05:08

inches

Guild: 00:05:09

away

Guild: 00:05:09

from

Guild: 00:05:09

Tarr's

Guild: 00:05:10

beak.

Guild: 00:05:10

He

Guild: 00:05:11

leapt

Guild: 00:05:11

down

Guild: 00:05:11

into

Guild: 00:05:11

the

Guild: 00:05:11

blue

Guild: 00:05:12

jay's

Guild: 00:05:12

arms

Guild: 00:05:12

and

Guild: 00:05:12

a

Guild: 00:05:12

long,

Guild: 00:05:13

deep

Guild: 00:05:13

kiss.
"Aww," Shayrha

Guild: 00:05:17

said.

Guild: 00:05:18

Tarr's

Guild: 00:05:18

cheek

Guild: 00:05:18

feathers

Guild: 00:05:19

ruffled

Guild: 00:05:19

up

Guild: 00:05:19

in

Guild: 00:05:19

an

Guild: 00:05:19

avian

Guild: 00:05:20

blush,

Guild: 00:05:20

but

Guild: 00:05:20

he

Guild: 00:05:21

was

Guild: 00:05:21

much

Guild: 00:05:21

too

Guild: 00:05:22

busy

Guild: 00:05:22

to

Guild: 00:05:22

protest.
"Are

Guild: 00:05:24

we

Guild: 00:05:24

going,

Guild: 00:05:25

finally?"

Guild: 00:05:26

Levak

Guild: 00:05:26

asked,

Guild: 00:05:27

his

Guild: 00:05:27

voice

Guild: 00:05:27

dry

Guild: 00:05:28

and

Guild: 00:05:28

sardonic.
Micah

Guild: 00:05:30

broke

Guild: 00:05:30

the

Guild: 00:05:30

kiss

Guild: 00:05:30

with

Guild: 00:05:31

a

Guild: 00:05:31

soft

Guild: 00:05:31

giggle,

Guild: 00:05:32

then

Guild: 00:05:32

laid

Guild: 00:05:32

his

Guild: 00:05:32

head

Guild: 00:05:33

on

Guild: 00:05:33

Tarr's

Guild: 00:05:33

shoulder

Guild: 00:05:33

as

Guild: 00:05:34

he

Guild: 00:05:34

asked, "Where

Guild: 00:05:35

are

Guild: 00:05:35

we

Guild: 00:05:35

going,

Guild: 00:05:36

anyway?"
"An

Guild: 00:05:38

excellent

Guild: 00:05:39

question,"

Guild: 00:05:40

added

Guild: 00:05:40

Emmora,

Guild: 00:05:41

turning

Guild: 00:05:41

her

Guild: 00:05:41

infinite

Guild: 00:05:42

gaze

Guild: 00:05:42

on

Guild: 00:05:42

Shayrha.
"Ah,"

Guild: 00:05:44

the

Guild: 00:05:44

skunk

Guild: 00:05:45

said,

Guild: 00:05:46

pulling

Guild: 00:05:46

out

Guild: 00:05:46

a

Guild: 00:05:46

sheaf

Guild: 00:05:46

of

Guild: 00:05:47

papers

Guild: 00:05:47

from

Guild: 00:05:47

her

Guild: 00:05:47

inventory. "It's

Guild: 00:05:49

a

Guild: 00:05:49

surprise.

Guild: 00:05:50

Call

Guild: 00:05:50

it

Guild: 00:05:50

a

Guild: 00:05:50

Winterwreath

Guild: 00:05:51

gift

Guild: 00:05:51

from

Guild: 00:05:52

me."
Levak's

Guild: 00:05:53

eyebrows

Guild: 00:05:54

shot

Guild: 00:05:54

up. "Are

Guild: 00:05:56

those

Guild: 00:05:56

secret

Guild: 00:05:57

dungeon

Guild: 00:05:57

tickets?"
Shayrha

Guild: 00:05:59

grinned.
###
An

Guild: 00:06:02

hour

Guild: 00:06:02

later,

Guild: 00:06:03

the

Guild: 00:06:03

five

Guild: 00:06:03

emerged

Guild: 00:06:04

from

Guild: 00:06:04

the

Guild: 00:06:04

Cathedral

Guild: 00:06:05

of

Guild: 00:06:05

the

Guild: 00:06:05

Red

Guild: 00:06:05

Star,

Guild: 00:06:06

the

Guild: 00:06:06

secret

Guild: 00:06:06

optional

Guild: 00:06:07

boss

Guild: 00:06:07

defeated

Guild: 00:06:08

and

Guild: 00:06:08

their

Guild: 00:06:08

inventories

Guild: 00:06:09

significantly

Guild: 00:06:10

more

Guild: 00:06:10

full

Guild: 00:06:11

than

Guild: 00:06:11

before

Guild: 00:06:11

they

Guild: 00:06:11

had

Guild: 00:06:11

arrived.
"That

Guild: 00:06:14

was a good find, Shay," Levak said, a muscle

Guild: 00:06:17

twitching

Guild: 00:06:17

in

Guild: 00:06:17

his

Guild: 00:06:18

lip

Guild: 00:06:18

as

Guild: 00:06:18

he

Guild: 00:06:18

fought

Guild: 00:06:18

a

Guild: 00:06:19

smile. "Seriously."
"My

Guild: 00:06:22

pleasure,"

Guild: 00:06:23

said

Guild: 00:06:23

Shayrha, "What

Guild: 00:06:25

are

Guild: 00:06:25

you

Guild: 00:06:25

all

Guild: 00:06:25

up

Guild: 00:06:25

to

Guild: 00:06:25

now?

Guild: 00:06:26

I

Guild: 00:06:26

don't

Guild: 00:06:26

have

Guild: 00:06:27

any

Guild: 00:06:27

more

Guild: 00:06:27

invites,

Guild: 00:06:27

but

Guild: 00:06:28

we

Guild: 00:06:28

could

Guild: 00:06:28

do

Guild: 00:06:28

a

Guild: 00:06:28

regular

Guild: 00:06:29

dungeon?"
"I

Guild: 00:06:31

have

Guild: 00:06:31

plans,"

Guild: 00:06:32

Levak

Guild: 00:06:33

said.

Guild: 00:06:33

He

Guild: 00:06:34

hesitated

Guild: 00:06:34

a

Guild: 00:06:34

moment,

Guild: 00:06:35

then

Guild: 00:06:35

added, "but

Guild: 00:06:36

I'm

Guild: 00:06:36

free

Guild: 00:06:36

after

Guild: 00:06:37

dinner.

Guild: 00:06:38

Rain

Guild: 00:06:38

check?"
"He

Guild: 00:06:40

means

Guild: 00:06:40

he

Guild: 00:06:40

has

Guild: 00:06:41

a

Guild: 00:06:41

date,

Guild: 00:06:41

but

Guild: 00:06:41

doesn't

Guild: 00:06:42

want

Guild: 00:06:42

to

Guild: 00:06:42

ruin

Guild: 00:06:42

his

Guild: 00:06:43

mysterious

Guild: 00:06:43

sarcastic

Guild: 00:06:44

wizard

Guild: 00:06:45

schtick,"

Guild: 00:06:46

Emmora

Guild: 00:06:46

said,

Guild: 00:06:47

slapping

Guild: 00:06:47

the

Guild: 00:06:48

lion

Guild: 00:06:48

on

Guild: 00:06:48

the

Guild: 00:06:48

back. "And

Guild: 00:06:49

I'm

Guild: 00:06:50

afraid

Guild: 00:06:50

I

Guild: 00:06:50

also

Guild: 00:06:50

have

Guild: 00:06:51

to

Guild: 00:06:51

jet.

Guild: 00:06:51

It's

Guild: 00:06:52

shogi

Guild: 00:06:52

league

Guild: 00:06:52

night!"
"Good

Guild: 00:06:54

luck,"

Guild: 00:06:55

Tarr

Guild: 00:06:55

told

Guild: 00:06:55

the

Guild: 00:06:55

falcon. "And

Guild: 00:06:56

I've

Guild: 00:06:57

got

Guild: 00:06:57

to

Guild: 00:06:57

run,

Guild: 00:06:57

too. I'm

Guild: 00:06:58

evaluating

Guild: 00:06:59

a

Guild: 00:06:59

new

Guild: 00:06:59

guild

Guild: 00:06:59

candidate

Guild: 00:07:00

for

Guild: 00:07:00

Griggor."

Guild: 00:07:01

He

Guild: 00:07:01

gave

Guild: 00:07:01

Micah

Guild: 00:07:02

a

Guild: 00:07:02

kiss,

Guild: 00:07:02

then

Guild: 00:07:02

teleported

Guild: 00:07:03

away.

Guild: 00:07:04

In

Guild: 00:07:04

a

Guild: 00:07:04

moment,

Guild: 00:07:05

Levak

Guild: 00:07:05

and

Guild: 00:07:05

Emmora

Guild: 00:07:06

had

Guild: 00:07:06

also

Guild: 00:07:06

vanished.
"Ah,

Guild: 00:07:08

well,"

Guild: 00:07:09

said

Guild: 00:07:09

Shayrha,

Guild: 00:07:10

staring

Guild: 00:07:10

at

Guild: 00:07:10

the

Guild: 00:07:10

empty

Guild: 00:07:11

place

Guild: 00:07:11

on

Guild: 00:07:11

the

Guild: 00:07:11

hill

Guild: 00:07:11

where

Guild: 00:07:12

their

Guild: 00:07:12

friends

Guild: 00:07:12

had

Guild: 00:07:12

been. "At

Guild: 00:07:13

least

Guild: 00:07:13

we

Guild: 00:07:14

did

Guild: 00:07:14

the

Guild: 00:07:14

one

Guild: 00:07:14

dungeon.

Guild: 00:07:15

It

Guild: 00:07:15

was

Guild: 00:07:15

pretty

Guild: 00:07:15

good,

Guild: 00:07:16

right,

Guild: 00:07:16

Micah?"

Guild: 00:07:17

She

Guild: 00:07:18

turned

Guild: 00:07:18

to

Guild: 00:07:18

find

Guild: 00:07:18

the

Guild: 00:07:18

coyote

Guild: 00:07:19

staring

Guild: 00:07:20

off

Guild: 00:07:20

into

Guild: 00:07:20

space.
"You

Guild: 00:07:22

okay,

Guild: 00:07:23

Mic?" Shayrha

Guild: 00:07:24

asked. "Did

Guild: 00:07:25

you

Guild: 00:07:25

not

Guild: 00:07:25

like

Guild: 00:07:25

your

Guild: 00:07:25

loot

Guild: 00:07:25

rolls?"
"Huh?

Guild: 00:07:28

Oh,

Guild: 00:07:28

no,

Guild: 00:07:28

it's

Guild: 00:07:29

all

Guild: 00:07:29

fine.

Guild: 00:07:30

It

Guild: 00:07:30

was

Guild: 00:07:30

a

Guild: 00:07:30

fun

Guild: 00:07:30

dungeon."
"What's

Guild: 00:07:32

up?"
He

Guild: 00:07:34

turned

Guild: 00:07:34

to

Guild: 00:07:34

look up

Guild: 00:07:35

at

Guild: 00:07:35

her,

Guild: 00:07:35

a

Guild: 00:07:35

strange

Guild: 00:07:35

expression

Guild: 00:07:36

on

Guild: 00:07:36

his

Guild: 00:07:36

face

Guild: 00:07:37

that

Guild: 00:07:37

she

Guild: 00:07:37

could

Guild: 00:07:37

not

Guild: 00:07:38

quite

Guild: 00:07:38

place. "What's

Guild: 00:07:40

Winterwreath?"
Shayrha

Guild: 00:07:43

was

Guild: 00:07:43

a

Guild: 00:07:43

little

Guild: 00:07:44

taken

Guild: 00:07:44

aback

Guild: 00:07:44

by

Guild: 00:07:44

the

Guild: 00:07:44

question. "Well,

Guild: 00:07:46

it's

Guild: 00:07:46

a

Guild: 00:07:47

holiday.

Guild: 00:07:48

It's

Guild: 00:07:48

from

Guild: 00:07:48

Lantus

Guild: 00:07:49

of

Guild: 00:07:49

the

Guild: 00:07:49

Golden

Guild: 00:07:49

Mountains

Guild: 00:07:50

originally,

Guild: 00:07:51

I

Guild: 00:07:51

think,

Guild: 00:07:52

but

Guild: 00:07:52

it's

Guild: 00:07:52

celebrated

Guild: 00:07:53

everywhere.

Guild: 00:07:54

Almost

Guild: 00:07:54

everywhere,"

Guild: 00:07:55

she

Guild: 00:07:55

amended

Guild: 00:07:56

hastily. "If

Guild: 00:07:57

I

Guild: 00:07:57

remember

Guild: 00:07:58

the

Guild: 00:07:58

story

Guild: 00:07:59

rightly,

Guild: 00:08:00

long

Guild: 00:08:00

ago,

Guild: 00:08:00

in

Guild: 00:08:00

Lantus,

Guild: 00:08:01

a

Guild: 00:08:01

great

Guild: 00:08:02

ice

Guild: 00:08:02

dragon

Guild: 00:08:02

stole

Guild: 00:08:03

the

Guild: 00:08:03

sun

Guild: 00:08:03

and

Guild: 00:08:03

hid

Guild: 00:08:03

it

Guild: 00:08:04

in

Guild: 00:08:04

the

Guild: 00:08:04

bows

Guild: 00:08:04

of a

Guild: 00:08:04

holly

Guild: 00:08:05

tree.

Guild: 00:08:05

To

Guild: 00:08:06

survive,

Guild: 00:08:06

the

Guild: 00:08:06

Lantites

Guild: 00:08:07

relied

Guild: 00:08:07

on

Guild: 00:08:07

each

Guild: 00:08:07

other,

Guild: 00:08:08

giving

Guild: 00:08:08

each

Guild: 00:08:08

other

Guild: 00:08:08

what

Guild: 00:08:09

little

Guild: 00:08:09

food

Guild: 00:08:09

they

Guild: 00:08:09

could

Guild: 00:08:09

find

Guild: 00:08:10

or

Guild: 00:08:10

grow

Guild: 00:08:10

in

Guild: 00:08:10

the

Guild: 00:08:10

cold,

Guild: 00:08:11

and

Guild: 00:08:11

they

Guild: 00:08:12

prayed

Guild: 00:08:12

to

Guild: 00:08:12

the

Guild: 00:08:12

gods

Guild: 00:08:12

to

Guild: 00:08:13

send

Guild: 00:08:13

them

Guild: 00:08:13

someone

Guild: 00:08:13

who

Guild: 00:08:14

save

Guild: 00:08:14

them

Guild: 00:08:14

from

Guild: 00:08:15

the

Guild: 00:08:15

ice

Guild: 00:08:15

dragon.

Guild: 00:08:16

According

Guild: 00:08:17

to

Guild: 00:08:17

legend,

Guild: 00:08:17

the

Guild: 00:08:17

gods

Guild: 00:08:18

sent

Guild: 00:08:18

a

Guild: 00:08:18

solar

Guild: 00:08:18

dragon,

Guild: 00:08:19

who

Guild: 00:08:19

defeated

Guild: 00:08:19

the

Guild: 00:08:20

ice

Guild: 00:08:20

dragon

Guild: 00:08:20

and

Guild: 00:08:20

set

Guild: 00:08:20

the

Guild: 00:08:21

sun

Guild: 00:08:21

in

Guild: 00:08:21

the

Guild: 00:08:21

high

Guild: 00:08:21

branches

Guild: 00:08:22

of

Guild: 00:08:22

an

Guild: 00:08:22

oak

Guild: 00:08:22

tree

Guild: 00:08:22

to

Guild: 00:08:23

fill

Guild: 00:08:23

the

Guild: 00:08:23

world

Guild: 00:08:23

with

Guild: 00:08:23

light

Guild: 00:08:24

and

Guild: 00:08:24

growth

Guild: 00:08:24

again.

Guild: 00:08:25

Then,

Guild: 00:08:26

at

Guild: 00:08:26

the

Guild: 00:08:26

height

Guild: 00:08:26

of

Guild: 00:08:26

summer,

Guild: 00:08:26

the

Guild: 00:08:27

ice

Guild: 00:08:27

dragon

Guild: 00:08:27

returns

Guild: 00:08:28

and

Guild: 00:08:28

steals

Guild: 00:08:28

the

Guild: 00:08:28

sun

Guild: 00:08:29

again,

Guild: 00:08:29

before

Guild: 00:08:29

the

Guild: 00:08:29

world

Guild: 00:08:30

gets

Guild: 00:08:30

too

Guild: 00:08:30

hot,

Guild: 00:08:31

and

Guild: 00:08:31

the

Guild: 00:08:31

whole

Guild: 00:08:31

process

Guild: 00:08:32

repeats."
"And

Guild: 00:08:33

you

Guild: 00:08:34

give

Guild: 00:08:34

gifts

Guild: 00:08:34

for

Guild: 00:08:35

it?"
Shayrha

Guild: 00:08:36

nodded. "To

Guild: 00:08:37

commemorate

Guild: 00:08:38

the

Guild: 00:08:38

gifts

Guild: 00:08:38

that

Guild: 00:08:38

the

Guild: 00:08:38

ancient

Guild: 00:08:39

Lantites

Guild: 00:08:39

gave

Guild: 00:08:39

each

Guild: 00:08:40

other

Guild: 00:08:40

to

Guild: 00:08:40

survive

Guild: 00:08:40

the

Guild: 00:08:40

winter.

Guild: 00:08:41

Oh,

Guild: 00:08:42

and

Guild: 00:08:42

if

Guild: 00:08:42

you

Guild: 00:08:42

go

Guild: 00:08:42

to

Guild: 00:08:42

Lantus

Guild: 00:08:43

during

Guild: 00:08:43

the

Guild: 00:08:43

week

Guild: 00:08:43

of

Guild: 00:08:43

the

Guild: 00:08:43

holiday,

Guild: 00:08:44

you

Guild: 00:08:44

can

Guild: 00:08:44

fight

Guild: 00:08:45

the

Guild: 00:08:45

ice

Guild: 00:08:45

dragon

Guild: 00:08:45

as

Guild: 00:08:45

a

Guild: 00:08:45

seasonal

Guild: 00:08:46

boss,

Guild: 00:08:46

and

Guild: 00:08:47

get

Guild: 00:08:47

some

Guild: 00:08:47

decent

Guild: 00:08:47

illusion

Guild: 00:08:48

gear

Guild: 00:08:48

from

Guild: 00:08:48

a

Guild: 00:08:48

vendor.

Guild: 00:08:49

Mostly

Guild: 00:08:50

sweaters

Guild: 00:08:51

and

Guild: 00:08:51

stuff."
"Does

Guild: 00:08:53

Tarr

Guild: 00:08:53

celebrate,

Guild: 00:08:54

do

Guild: 00:08:54

you

Guild: 00:08:54

know?"
"Oh,

Guild: 00:08:56

uh.

Guild: 00:08:56

I

Guild: 00:08:56

think

Guild: 00:08:57

so?

Guild: 00:08:57

I

Guild: 00:08:57

mean,

Guild: 00:08:58

he

Guild: 00:08:58

participates

Guild: 00:08:58

in

Guild: 00:08:58

the

Guild: 00:08:59

White

Guild: 00:08:59

Dragon

Guild: 00:08:59

Gift

Guild: 00:08:59

Exchange

Guild: 00:09:00

in

Guild: 00:09:00

the

Guild: 00:09:00

guild

Guild: 00:09:00

each

Guild: 00:09:01

year."
With

Guild: 00:09:02

a

Guild: 00:09:02

sound

Guild: 00:09:03

somewhere

Guild: 00:09:03

between

Guild: 00:09:04

a

Guild: 00:09:04

groan

Guild: 00:09:04

and

Guild: 00:09:04

a

Guild: 00:09:04

whimper,

Guild: 00:09:05

Micah

Guild: 00:09:05

plastered

Guild: 00:09:06

his

Guild: 00:09:06

ears

Guild: 00:09:06

to

Guild: 00:09:06

the

Guild: 00:09:06

side

Guild: 00:09:07

of

Guild: 00:09:07

his

Guild: 00:09:07

head.
"What's

Guild: 00:09:09

wrong?"

Guild: 00:09:10

Shayrha

Guild: 00:09:11

asked,

Guild: 00:09:11

alarmed.
"We've

Guild: 00:09:13

been

Guild: 00:09:14

dating

Guild: 00:09:14

for

Guild: 00:09:15

years

Guild: 00:09:15

and

Guild: 00:09:15

I

Guild: 00:09:16

had

Guild: 00:09:16

no

Guild: 00:09:16

idea

Guild: 00:09:17

he

Guild: 00:09:17

was

Guild: 00:09:17

expecting

Guild: 00:09:18

Winterwreath

Guild: 00:09:18

gifts."
"Oh,

Guild: 00:09:20

sweetheart,"

Guild: 00:09:22

Shayrha

Guild: 00:09:22

said.

Guild: 00:09:23

She

Guild: 00:09:23

put

Guild: 00:09:23

an

Guild: 00:09:23

arm

Guild: 00:09:24

around

Guild: 00:09:24

his

Guild: 00:09:24

shoulders. "If

Guild: 00:09:25

it

Guild: 00:09:25

mattered

Guild: 00:09:26

to

Guild: 00:09:26

him,

Guild: 00:09:26

he

Guild: 00:09:26

would

Guild: 00:09:26

have

Guild: 00:09:26

said

Guild: 00:09:27

something.

Guild: 00:09:28

Besides,

Guild: 00:09:28

it's

Guild: 00:09:28

not

Guild: 00:09:28

really

Guild: 00:09:29

the

Guild: 00:09:29

gifts

Guild: 00:09:29

that

Guild: 00:09:29

matter,

Guild: 00:09:30

it's

Guild: 00:09:30

the

Guild: 00:09:30

love

Guild: 00:09:31

that

Guild: 00:09:31

the

Guild: 00:09:31

gifts

Guild: 00:09:31

represent,

Guild: 00:09:32

and

Guild: 00:09:32

Tarr

Guild: 00:09:33

has

Guild: 00:09:33

never

Guild: 00:09:34

doubted

Guild: 00:09:34

that

Guild: 00:09:34

you

Guild: 00:09:34

love

Guild: 00:09:35

him."
"Yeah,"

Guild: 00:09:38

Micah

Guild: 00:09:38

said,

Guild: 00:09:39

though

Guild: 00:09:39

he

Guild: 00:09:39

sounded

Guild: 00:09:39

unconvinced.
"If

Guild: 00:09:41

it

Guild: 00:09:41

matters

Guild: 00:09:42

that

Guild: 00:09:42

much

Guild: 00:09:43

to

Guild: 00:09:43

you,

Guild: 00:09:43

there's

Guild: 00:09:43

still

Guild: 00:09:44

plenty

Guild: 00:09:44

of

Guild: 00:09:44

time

Guild: 00:09:45

to

Guild: 00:09:45

get

Guild: 00:09:45

him

Guild: 00:09:45

a

Guild: 00:09:45

gift."
He

Guild: 00:09:47

peeked

Guild: 00:09:47

up

Guild: 00:09:47

at

Guild: 00:09:48

her.
"Winterwreath

Guild: 00:09:49

is

Guild: 00:09:50

still

Guild: 00:09:50

four

Guild: 00:09:50

days

Guild: 00:09:51

away.

Guild: 00:09:51

Lots

Guild: 00:09:52

of

Guild: 00:09:52

time

Guild: 00:09:52

to

Guild: 00:09:53

shop."
Micah

Guild: 00:09:54

unfolded

Guild: 00:09:55

his

Guild: 00:09:55

ears

Guild: 00:09:56

slowly,

Guild: 00:09:56

and

Guild: 00:09:57

they

Guild: 00:09:57

flicked

Guild: 00:09:57

once

Guild: 00:09:57

or

Guild: 00:09:57

twice

Guild: 00:09:58

as

Guild: 00:09:58

a

Guild: 00:09:58

small

Guild: 00:09:58

smile

Guild: 00:09:59

blossomed

Guild: 00:09:59

on

Guild: 00:10:00

his

Guild: 00:10:00

lips.
"You're

Guild: 00:10:01

right,

Guild: 00:10:02

Shay,"

Guild: 00:10:03

he

Guild: 00:10:03

told

Guild: 00:10:03

her. "Instead

Guild: 00:10:04

of

Guild: 00:10:04

panicking,

Guild: 00:10:05

I'm

Guild: 00:10:05

going

Guild: 00:10:05

to

Guild: 00:10:05

pick

Guild: 00:10:06

out

Guild: 00:10:06

the

Guild: 00:10:06

best

Guild: 00:10:07

Winterwreath

Guild: 00:10:08

gift

Guild: 00:10:08

ever."

Guild: 00:10:09

He

Guild: 00:10:10

leaned

Guild: 00:10:10

over

Guild: 00:10:10

to

Guild: 00:10:10

give

Guild: 00:10:11

her

Guild: 00:10:11

a

Guild: 00:10:11

hug,

Guild: 00:10:11

then

Guild: 00:10:11

teleported

Guild: 00:10:12

away.

Guild: 00:10:13

Shayrha

Guild: 00:10:13

grinned

Guild: 00:10:14

to

Guild: 00:10:14

herself, and took

Guild: 00:10:15

her

Guild: 00:10:15

time

Guild: 00:10:15

getting

Guild: 00:10:16

up

Guild: 00:10:16

and

Guild: 00:10:16

heading

Guild: 00:10:17

back

Guild: 00:10:17

to

Guild: 00:10:17

civilization.
###
"You

Guild: 00:10:21

told

Guild: 00:10:21

him

Guild: 00:10:22

what?"

Guild: 00:10:24

Tarr

Guild: 00:10:24

asked,

Guild: 00:10:25

staring

Guild: 00:10:25

wide-eyed

Guild: 00:10:26

at

Guild: 00:10:26

Shayrha.

Guild: 00:10:27

She

Guild: 00:10:27

took

Guild: 00:10:28

a

Guild: 00:10:28

step

Guild: 00:10:28

back

Guild: 00:10:28

from

Guild: 00:10:28

the

Guild: 00:10:28

rapidly

Guild: 00:10:29

spreading

Guild: 00:10:29

puddle

Guild: 00:10:30

of

Guild: 00:10:30

beer

Guild: 00:10:30

and

Guild: 00:10:30

broken

Guild: 00:10:31

glass,

Guild: 00:10:31

the

Guild: 00:10:32

only

Guild: 00:10:32

remnants

Guild: 00:10:32

of

Guild: 00:10:33

the

Guild: 00:10:33

plate

Guild: 00:10:33

of

Guild: 00:10:33

drinks

Guild: 00:10:33

Tarr

Guild: 00:10:34

had

Guild: 00:10:34

been

Guild: 00:10:34

carrying

Guild: 00:10:34

when

Guild: 00:10:35

Shayrha

Guild: 00:10:35

had

Guild: 00:10:35

finally

Guild: 00:10:36

caught

Guild: 00:10:36

up

Guild: 00:10:36

with

Guild: 00:10:36

him,

Guild: 00:10:37

a

Guild: 00:10:37

few

Guild: 00:10:37

hours

Guild: 00:10:38

after

Guild: 00:10:38

she

Guild: 00:10:38

had

Guild: 00:10:38

left

Guild: 00:10:39

Micah.
"Just

Guild: 00:10:40

the...

Guild: 00:10:41

just

Guild: 00:10:41

the

Guild: 00:10:41

story

Guild: 00:10:42

of

Guild: 00:10:42

Winterwreath,"

Guild: 00:10:43

said

Guild: 00:10:43

Shayrha. "I

Guild: 00:10:44

don't...

Guild: 00:10:45

what's wrong?"
"Shay,

Guild: 00:10:48

no,"

Guild: 00:10:50

Tarr

Guild: 00:10:50

said.

Guild: 00:10:51

He

Guild: 00:10:51

collapsed

Guild: 00:10:52

into

Guild: 00:10:52

a

Guild: 00:10:52

seat

Guild: 00:10:52

in

Guild: 00:10:52

the

Guild: 00:10:52

bar-like

Guild: 00:10:53

main

Guild: 00:10:53

room

Guild: 00:10:53

of

Guild: 00:10:54

the

Guild: 00:10:54

Guildhall.

Guild: 00:10:55

Around

Guild: 00:10:55

them,

Guild: 00:10:55

other

Guild: 00:10:56

guild

Guild: 00:10:56

members

Guild: 00:10:56

had

Guild: 00:10:56

stopped

Guild: 00:10:57

their

Guild: 00:10:57

own

Guild: 00:10:57

conversations

Guild: 00:10:58

to

Guild: 00:10:58

watch

Guild: 00:10:58

the

Guild: 00:10:59

blue

Guild: 00:10:59

jay

Guild: 00:10:59

and

Guild: 00:10:59

the

Guild: 00:10:59

skunk.
"No,

Guild: 00:11:01

what?"

Guild: 00:11:03

Shayrha

Guild: 00:11:03

knelt

Guild: 00:11:04

to

Guild: 00:11:04

pick

Guild: 00:11:04

up

Guild: 00:11:04

Tarr's

Guild: 00:11:05

tray

Guild: 00:11:05

and,

Guild: 00:11:06

very

Guild: 00:11:06

carefully,

Guild: 00:11:07

began

Guild: 00:11:07

plucking

Guild: 00:11:08

pieces

Guild: 00:11:08

of

Guild: 00:11:08

glass

Guild: 00:11:09

out

Guild: 00:11:09

of

Guild: 00:11:09

the

Guild: 00:11:09

foaming

Guild: 00:11:09

mess. "He

Guild: 00:11:11

wanted

Guild: 00:11:12

to

Guild: 00:11:12

be

Guild: 00:11:12

part

Guild: 00:11:12

of

Guild: 00:11:12

your

Guild: 00:11:12

traditions,

Guild: 00:11:13

I

Guild: 00:11:13

thought

Guild: 00:11:14

you'd

Guild: 00:11:14

be

Guild: 00:11:14

pleased.

Guild: 00:11:15

Don't

Guild: 00:11:15

you

Guild: 00:11:15

like

Guild: 00:11:16

Winterwreath?"
"No,

Guild: 00:11:19

I

Guild: 00:11:19

hate

Guild: 00:11:20

it!"

Guild: 00:11:21

Tarr

Guild: 00:11:22

wailed. "It's

Guild: 00:11:23

the

Guild: 00:11:23

worst!

Guild: 00:11:24

It's

Guild: 00:11:24

all

Guild: 00:11:24

pressure

Guild: 00:11:25

and

Guild: 00:11:25

no

Guild: 00:11:26

fun!"
"What?

Guild: 00:11:27

Then

Guild: 00:11:28

why

Guild: 00:11:28

do

Guild: 00:11:28

you

Guild: 00:11:28

do

Guild: 00:11:28

the

Guild: 00:11:28

white

Guild: 00:11:29

dragon

Guild: 00:11:29

gift

Guild: 00:11:29

every

Guild: 00:11:30

year?"
"I

Guild: 00:11:31

don't!"
"Ah,"

Guild: 00:11:35

said

Guild: 00:11:35

Shayrha.

Guild: 00:11:36

She

Guild: 00:11:36

looked

Guild: 00:11:36

up

Guild: 00:11:37

at

Guild: 00:11:37

Tarr,

Guild: 00:11:37

and

Guild: 00:11:37

paid

Guild: 00:11:38

for

Guild: 00:11:38

her

Guild: 00:11:38

lapse

Guild: 00:11:38

in

Guild: 00:11:38

attention

Guild: 00:11:39

by

Guild: 00:11:39

cutting

Guild: 00:11:39

a

Guild: 00:11:39

finger

Guild: 00:11:40

on

Guild: 00:11:40

a

Guild: 00:11:40

piece

Guild: 00:11:40

of

Guild: 00:11:40

glass.

Guild: 00:11:42

Wincing,

Guild: 00:11:42

she

Guild: 00:11:42

grabbed

Guild: 00:11:43

a

Guild: 00:11:43

napkin

Guild: 00:11:43

from

Guild: 00:11:43

a

Guild: 00:11:43

nearby

Guild: 00:11:44

table

Guild: 00:11:44

and

Guild: 00:11:44

wrapped

Guild: 00:11:44

her

Guild: 00:11:45

finger

Guild: 00:11:45

up. "I

Guild: 00:11:46

always

Guild: 00:11:46

see

Guild: 00:11:46

your

Guild: 00:11:46

name

Guild: 00:11:47

on

Guild: 00:11:47

the

Guild: 00:11:47

list,

Guild: 00:11:48

though."
"Emmora

Guild: 00:11:50

signs

Guild: 00:11:50

me

Guild: 00:11:50

up.

Guild: 00:11:51

She

Guild: 00:11:51

signs

Guild: 00:11:52

up

Guild: 00:11:52

like

Guild: 00:11:52

a

Guild: 00:11:52

dozen

Guild: 00:11:52

people

Guild: 00:11:53

each

Guild: 00:11:53

year.

Guild: 00:11:54

I

Guild: 00:11:54

never

Guild: 00:11:54

told

Guild: 00:11:55

her

Guild: 00:11:55

to

Guild: 00:11:55

stop,

Guild: 00:11:56

I

Guild: 00:11:56

just

Guild: 00:11:57

remove

Guild: 00:11:57

my

Guild: 00:11:57

name

Guild: 00:11:57

when

Guild: 00:11:58

I

Guild: 00:11:58

get

Guild: 00:11:58

a

Guild: 00:11:58

second." Tarr sighed. "What

Guild: 00:12:00

am

Guild: 00:12:00

I

Guild: 00:12:00

going

Guild: 00:12:00

to

Guild: 00:12:00

do?"
"You

Guild: 00:12:03

could

Guild: 00:12:03

go

Guild: 00:12:03

talk

Guild: 00:12:04

to

Guild: 00:12:04

him

Guild: 00:12:04

and

Guild: 00:12:05

explain?"
"No,

Guild: 00:12:06

you

Guild: 00:12:07

know

Guild: 00:12:07

how

Guild: 00:12:07

anxious

Guild: 00:12:07

he

Guild: 00:12:07

can

Guild: 00:12:08

be,

Guild: 00:12:08

he'll

Guild: 00:12:08

think

Guild: 00:12:08

I'm

Guild: 00:12:08

just

Guild: 00:12:09

trying

Guild: 00:12:09

to

Guild: 00:12:09

spare

Guild: 00:12:09

his

Guild: 00:12:09

feelings.

Guild: 00:12:10

Then

Guild: 00:12:10

he'll

Guild: 00:12:10

get

Guild: 00:12:10

upset,

Guild: 00:12:11

thinking

Guild: 00:12:11

I

Guild: 00:12:11

don't

Guild: 00:12:11

want

Guild: 00:12:12

to

Guild: 00:12:12

tell

Guild: 00:12:12

him

Guild: 00:12:12

the

Guild: 00:12:12

truth."
"Tarr,

Guild: 00:12:14

sweetie,

Guild: 00:12:14

that's

Guild: 00:12:14

a

Guild: 00:12:15

hell

Guild: 00:12:15

of

Guild: 00:12:15

a

Guild: 00:12:15

conclusion

Guild: 00:12:16

you're

Guild: 00:12:16

jumping

Guild: 00:12:16

to."
"I'm

Guild: 00:12:18

just

Guild: 00:12:18

going

Guild: 00:12:18

to

Guild: 00:12:18

have

Guild: 00:12:19

to

Guild: 00:12:19

throw

Guild: 00:12:19

a

Guild: 00:12:19

whole

Guild: 00:12:19

celebration

Guild: 00:12:20

for

Guild: 00:12:20

him.

Guild: 00:12:21

Okay."

Guild: 00:12:22

Tarr

Guild: 00:12:23

leapt

Guild: 00:12:23

to

Guild: 00:12:23

his

Guild: 00:12:23

feet,

Guild: 00:12:24

glowering

Guild: 00:12:25

at

Guild: 00:12:25

Shayrha. "Maybe

Guild: 00:12:26

next

Guild: 00:12:26

time

Guild: 00:12:27

you

Guild: 00:12:27

can

Guild: 00:12:27

check

Guild: 00:12:28

with

Guild: 00:12:28

me

Guild: 00:12:28

before

Guild: 00:12:29

telling

Guild: 00:12:29

someone

Guild: 00:12:29

what

Guild: 00:12:30

my

Guild: 00:12:30

favorite

Guild: 00:12:30

holidays

Guild: 00:12:30

are?"
"I

Guild: 00:12:32

didn't--"

Guild: 00:12:33

but

Guild: 00:12:33

it

Guild: 00:12:33

was

Guild: 00:12:33

too

Guild: 00:12:33

late,

Guild: 00:12:34

Tarr

Guild: 00:12:34

vanished.

Guild: 00:12:36

Shayrha

Guild: 00:12:36

sighed

Guild: 00:12:37

and

Guild: 00:12:37

shook

Guild: 00:12:37

her

Guild: 00:12:37

head,

Guild: 00:12:38

then

Guild: 00:12:38

looked

Guild: 00:12:38

around

Guild: 00:12:38

at

Guild: 00:12:38

the

Guild: 00:12:39

gawking

Guild: 00:12:39

crowd. "Alright,

Guild: 00:12:41

could

Guild: 00:12:41

one

Guild: 00:12:41

of

Guild: 00:12:41

you

Guild: 00:12:41

bring

Guild: 00:12:42

me

Guild: 00:12:42

a

Guild: 00:12:42

broom

Guild: 00:12:42

at

Guild: 00:12:43

least?"
###
The

Guild: 00:12:46

real

Guild: 00:12:47

problem,

Guild: 00:12:48

Tarr

Guild: 00:12:48

reflected

Guild: 00:12:49

as

Guild: 00:12:49

he

Guild: 00:12:49

browsed

Guild: 00:12:49

the

Guild: 00:12:49

stalls

Guild: 00:12:50

at

Guild: 00:12:50

the

Guild: 00:12:50

Lantite

Guild: 00:12:50

Winter

Guild: 00:12:51

Market,

Guild: 00:12:52

was

Guild: 00:12:52

that

Guild: 00:12:52

he

Guild: 00:12:52

had

Guild: 00:12:52

very

Guild: 00:12:53

little

Guild: 00:12:53

idea

Guild: 00:12:54

of

Guild: 00:12:54

what

Guild: 00:12:54

Micah

Guild: 00:12:54

might

Guild: 00:12:55

like

Guild: 00:12:55

as

Guild: 00:12:55

a

Guild: 00:12:55

Winterwreath

Guild: 00:12:56

gift.

Guild: 00:12:57

Or,

Guild: 00:12:57

more

Guild: 00:12:58

specifically,

Guild: 00:12:59

Tarr

Guild: 00:12:59

did

Guild: 00:12:59

not

Guild: 00:13:00

want

Guild: 00:13:00

to

Guild: 00:13:00

shop

Guild: 00:13:01

until

Guild: 00:13:01

he

Guild: 00:13:01

found

Guild: 00:13:01

a

Guild: 00:13:01

thing

Guild: 00:13:02

that

Guild: 00:13:02

Micah

Guild: 00:13:02

might

Guild: 00:13:03

want.

Guild: 00:13:04

As

Guild: 00:13:04

much

Guild: 00:13:04

as

Guild: 00:13:04

he

Guild: 00:13:04

loved

Guild: 00:13:05

Micah,

Guild: 00:13:05

he

Guild: 00:13:05

felt

Guild: 00:13:06

the

Guild: 00:13:06

pressure

Guild: 00:13:06

of

Guild: 00:13:06

picking

Guild: 00:13:07

out

Guild: 00:13:07

a

Guild: 00:13:07

gift

Guild: 00:13:08

like

Guild: 00:13:08

a

Guild: 00:13:08

weight

Guild: 00:13:08

around

Guild: 00:13:08

his

Guild: 00:13:09

neck.

Guild: 00:13:10

That

Guild: 00:13:10

the

Guild: 00:13:10

Market

Guild: 00:13:11

was

Guild: 00:13:11

crowded

Guild: 00:13:12

with

Guild: 00:13:12

chattering

Guild: 00:13:12

shoppers

Guild: 00:13:13

in

Guild: 00:13:13

a

Guild: 00:13:13

teeming

Guild: 00:13:14

horde

Guild: 00:13:14

that

Guild: 00:13:14

blocked

Guild: 00:13:15

his

Guild: 00:13:15

access

Guild: 00:13:15

to

Guild: 00:13:16

most

Guild: 00:13:16

of

Guild: 00:13:16

the

Guild: 00:13:16

stalls

Guild: 00:13:17

and

Guild: 00:13:17

frequently

Guild: 00:13:17

walked

Guild: 00:13:18

too

Guild: 00:13:18

slowly

Guild: 00:13:18

in

Guild: 00:13:19

front

Guild: 00:13:19

of

Guild: 00:13:19

him

Guild: 00:13:19

and

Guild: 00:13:19

too

Guild: 00:13:19

quickly

Guild: 00:13:20

behind

Guild: 00:13:20

him

Guild: 00:13:20

made

Guild: 00:13:21

it

Guild: 00:13:21

all

Guild: 00:13:21

the

Guild: 00:13:21

worse.

Guild: 00:13:22

His

Guild: 00:13:23

feathers

Guild: 00:13:23

itched,

Guild: 00:13:24

and

Guild: 00:13:24

it

Guild: 00:13:24

took

Guild: 00:13:24

all

Guild: 00:13:25

of

Guild: 00:13:25

his

Guild: 00:13:25

willpower

Guild: 00:13:25

not

Guild: 00:13:26

to

Guild: 00:13:26

simply

Guild: 00:13:26

leave.

Guild: 00:13:28

He

Guild: 00:13:28

had

Guild: 00:13:28

already

Guild: 00:13:28

done

Guild: 00:13:28

that

Guild: 00:13:29

once.

Guild: 00:13:30

With

Guild: 00:13:30

only

Guild: 00:13:30

three

Guild: 00:13:30

days

Guild: 00:13:31

left

Guild: 00:13:31

until

Guild: 00:13:31

Winterwreath, he

Guild: 00:13:32

couldn't

Guild: 00:13:32

afford

Guild: 00:13:32

to

Guild: 00:13:33

procrastinate

Guild: 00:13:33

any

Guild: 00:13:34

more.
The

Guild: 00:13:35

crowd

Guild: 00:13:36

parted

Guild: 00:13:37

and

Guild: 00:13:37

Tarr

Guild: 00:13:37

caught

Guild: 00:13:37

sight

Guild: 00:13:37

of

Guild: 00:13:37

a

Guild: 00:13:38

familiar,

Guild: 00:13:38

nebula-garbed

Guild: 00:13:39

falcon.

Guild: 00:13:40

He

Guild: 00:13:40

shouted

Guild: 00:13:41

Emmora's

Guild: 00:13:41

name

Guild: 00:13:41

and

Guild: 00:13:42

pushed

Guild: 00:13:42

past

Guild: 00:13:42

the

Guild: 00:13:42

teeming

Guild: 00:13:43

throng,

Guild: 00:13:43

leaving

Guild: 00:13:44

a

Guild: 00:13:44

trail

Guild: 00:13:44

of

Guild: 00:13:44

cursing

Guild: 00:13:45

shoppers

Guild: 00:13:45

in

Guild: 00:13:45

his

Guild: 00:13:45

wake.
Emmora

Guild: 00:13:47

raised

Guild: 00:13:48

one

Guild: 00:13:48

glowing

Guild: 00:13:48

asteroid

Guild: 00:13:49

of

Guild: 00:13:49

an

Guild: 00:13:49

eyebrow,

Guild: 00:13:50

her

Guild: 00:13:50

arms

Guild: 00:13:51

crossed

Guild: 00:13:51

over

Guild: 00:13:51

her

Guild: 00:13:51

chest

Guild: 00:13:52

as

Guild: 00:13:52

she

Guild: 00:13:52

waited

Guild: 00:13:53

next

Guild: 00:13:53

to

Guild: 00:13:53

a

Guild: 00:13:53

stall

Guild: 00:13:53

selling

Guild: 00:13:54

spiced

Guild: 00:13:54

apple

Guild: 00:13:55

tarts

Guild: 00:13:55

that

Guild: 00:13:55

gave

Guild: 00:13:55

a

Guild: 00:13:55

temporary

Guild: 00:13:56

bonus

Guild: 00:13:56

against

Guild: 00:13:57

ice

Guild: 00:13:57

damage.
"Thanks,"

Guild: 00:14:00

Tarr

Guild: 00:14:00

told

Guild: 00:14:00

her,

Guild: 00:14:01

stepping

Guild: 00:14:01

under

Guild: 00:14:01

the

Guild: 00:14:01

stall's

Guild: 00:14:02

awning

Guild: 00:14:02

and

Guild: 00:14:02

almost

Guild: 00:14:03

out

Guild: 00:14:03

of

Guild: 00:14:03

the

Guild: 00:14:03

crowd.
"I

Guild: 00:14:06

thought

Guild: 00:14:06

you

Guild: 00:14:07

hated

Guild: 00:14:07

Winterwreath?"

Guild: 00:14:09

Emmora

Guild: 00:14:09

asked.

Guild: 00:14:10

She

Guild: 00:14:10

bought

Guild: 00:14:10

a

Guild: 00:14:10

stack

Guild: 00:14:11

of

Guild: 00:14:11

tarts.
"I

Guild: 00:14:12

do,"

Guild: 00:14:14

he

Guild: 00:14:14

said

Guild: 00:14:14

darkly. "But

Guild: 00:14:15

Shay

Guild: 00:14:16

got

Guild: 00:14:16

Micah

Guild: 00:14:17

all

Guild: 00:14:17

excited

Guild: 00:14:17

about

Guild: 00:14:18

it."
"Ah,"

Guild: 00:14:21

said Emmora.

Guild: 00:14:22

She

Guild: 00:14:22

waved

Guild: 00:14:23

Tarr to

Guild: 00:14:23

follow

Guild: 00:14:23

her

Guild: 00:14:24

as

Guild: 00:14:24

she

Guild: 00:14:24

waded

Guild: 00:14:24

out

Guild: 00:14:24

into

Guild: 00:14:25

the

Guild: 00:14:25

shoppers,

Guild: 00:14:25

making

Guild: 00:14:26

a

Guild: 00:14:26

beeline

Guild: 00:14:26

to

Guild: 00:14:26

a

Guild: 00:14:26

cluster

Guild: 00:14:27

of

Guild: 00:14:27

drink

Guild: 00:14:27

and

Guild: 00:14:28

snack

Guild: 00:14:28

stands

Guild: 00:14:28

flanked

Guild: 00:14:29

by

Guild: 00:14:29

little

Guild: 00:14:29

tables. "And,

Guild: 00:14:32

logically,

Guild: 00:14:33

you

Guild: 00:14:33

decided

Guild: 00:14:34

to

Guild: 00:14:34

talk

Guild: 00:14:35

to

Guild: 00:14:35

Micah

Guild: 00:14:35

about

Guild: 00:14:36

this

Guild: 00:14:36

and

Guild: 00:14:36

explain

Guild: 00:14:37

your

Guild: 00:14:37

feelings

Guild: 00:14:37

about

Guild: 00:14:38

the

Guild: 00:14:38

holiday."
Tarr's

Guild: 00:14:41

cheek

Guild: 00:14:41

feathers

Guild: 00:14:41

ruffled

Guild: 00:14:42

and

Guild: 00:14:42

he

Guild: 00:14:42

said

Guild: 00:14:42

nothing.
Emmora

Guild: 00:14:45

regarded

Guild: 00:14:45

him

Guild: 00:14:45

coolly

Guild: 00:14:46

as

Guild: 00:14:46

they

Guild: 00:14:46

joined

Guild: 00:14:46

the

Guild: 00:14:46

line

Guild: 00:14:47

for

Guild: 00:14:47

hot

Guild: 00:14:47

cocoa

Guild: 00:14:48

and

Guild: 00:14:48

tiny

Guild: 00:14:48

donuts.

Guild: 00:14:51

Tarr

Guild: 00:14:51

found

Guild: 00:14:51

that

Guild: 00:14:51

he

Guild: 00:14:52

couldn't

Guild: 00:14:52

match

Guild: 00:14:53

that

Guild: 00:14:53

endless

Guild: 00:14:54

black-hole

Guild: 00:14:54

gaze,

Guild: 00:14:54

and

Guild: 00:14:55

studied

Guild: 00:14:55

the

Guild: 00:14:55

ground

Guild: 00:14:55

instead.

Guild: 00:14:57

He

Guild: 00:14:57

let

Guild: 00:14:57

her

Guild: 00:14:57

order

Guild: 00:14:58

for

Guild: 00:14:58

him,

Guild: 00:14:58

though

Guild: 00:14:58

he

Guild: 00:14:59

insisted

Guild: 00:14:59

on

Guild: 00:14:59

paying,

Guild: 00:15:00

and

Guild: 00:15:00

then

Guild: 00:15:01

joined

Guild: 00:15:01

her

Guild: 00:15:01

at

Guild: 00:15:01

one

Guild: 00:15:01

of

Guild: 00:15:01

the

Guild: 00:15:02

rickety

Guild: 00:15:02

tables.
"Nothing?" Emmora

Guild: 00:15:06

asked.
Tarr

Guild: 00:15:08

shrugged. "I

Guild: 00:15:09

don't

Guild: 00:15:10

want

Guild: 00:15:10

to

Guild: 00:15:10

hurt

Guild: 00:15:10

his

Guild: 00:15:10

feelings."
"Even

Guild: 00:15:13

if

Guild: 00:15:14

your

Guild: 00:15:14

feelings

Guild: 00:15:14

get

Guild: 00:15:15

hurt

Guild: 00:15:15

instead.

Guild: 00:15:16

That's

Guild: 00:15:16

not..."

Guild: 00:15:17

She

Guild: 00:15:18

shook

Guild: 00:15:18

her

Guild: 00:15:18

head. "Alright,

Guild: 00:15:20

if

Guild: 00:15:20

you

Guild: 00:15:21

won't

Guild: 00:15:21

take

Guild: 00:15:22

good

Guild: 00:15:22

advice,

Guild: 00:15:22

at

Guild: 00:15:22

least

Guild: 00:15:23

take

Guild: 00:15:23

advice.

Guild: 00:15:24

If

Guild: 00:15:25

you

Guild: 00:15:25

try

Guild: 00:15:25

to

Guild: 00:15:26

force

Guild: 00:15:26

yourself

Guild: 00:15:26

to

Guild: 00:15:26

do

Guild: 00:15:26

the

Guild: 00:15:27

happy

Guild: 00:15:27

consumer

Guild: 00:15:27

thing,

Guild: 00:15:28

despite

Guild: 00:15:29

being

Guild: 00:15:30

clearly

Guild: 00:15:30

annoyed

Guild: 00:15:31

at

Guild: 00:15:31

every

Guild: 00:15:31

part

Guild: 00:15:31

of

Guild: 00:15:31

this

Guild: 00:15:32

experience,

Guild: 00:15:32

you're

Guild: 00:15:33

going

Guild: 00:15:33

to

Guild: 00:15:33

end

Guild: 00:15:34

up

Guild: 00:15:34

buying

Guild: 00:15:34

something

Guild: 00:15:35

out

Guild: 00:15:35

of

Guild: 00:15:35

desperation,

Guild: 00:15:36

and

Guild: 00:15:37

then

Guild: 00:15:37

neither

Guild: 00:15:37

you

Guild: 00:15:37

nor

Guild: 00:15:38

Micah

Guild: 00:15:38

is

Guild: 00:15:38

going

Guild: 00:15:39

to

Guild: 00:15:39

like

Guild: 00:15:39

the

Guild: 00:15:39

gift."
"So

Guild: 00:15:41

I,

Guild: 00:15:41

what,

Guild: 00:15:41

don't

Guild: 00:15:42

buy

Guild: 00:15:42

him

Guild: 00:15:42

anything?"
She

Guild: 00:15:44

hit

Guild: 00:15:44

him

Guild: 00:15:44

square

Guild: 00:15:45

between

Guild: 00:15:45

the

Guild: 00:15:45

eyes

Guild: 00:15:46

with a

Guild: 00:15:46

tiny

Guild: 00:15:46

donut. "No,

Guild: 00:15:48

you

Guild: 00:15:48

calamity

Guild: 00:15:49

cactus.

Guild: 00:15:50

You

Guild: 00:15:50

get

Guild: 00:15:50

him

Guild: 00:15:51

something

Guild: 00:15:51

by

Guild: 00:15:51

doing

Guild: 00:15:52

a

Guild: 00:15:52

thing

Guild: 00:15:52

you

Guild: 00:15:52

enjoy

Guild: 00:15:53

doing.

Guild: 00:15:54

Go

Guild: 00:15:54

farm

Guild: 00:15:55

a

Guild: 00:15:55

dungeon

Guild: 00:15:55

for

Guild: 00:15:55

a

Guild: 00:15:55

rare

Guild: 00:15:56

drop

Guild: 00:15:56

that

Guild: 00:15:56

he'd

Guild: 00:15:57

enjoy,

Guild: 00:15:57

or

Guild: 00:15:58

collect

Guild: 00:15:58

raw

Guild: 00:15:58

materials

Guild: 00:15:59

for

Guild: 00:15:59

a

Guild: 00:15:59

crafted

Guild: 00:16:00

item

Guild: 00:16:00

he'd

Guild: 00:16:00

enjoy

Guild: 00:16:01

but

Guild: 00:16:01

can't

Guild: 00:16:01

do

Guild: 00:16:02

himself."
"But

Guild: 00:16:04

I...

Guild: 00:16:05

oh!" Tarr

Guild: 00:16:07

brightened. "That's

Guild: 00:16:08

it,

Guild: 00:16:09

thank

Guild: 00:16:09

you, Em!

Guild: 00:16:10

You're

Guild: 00:16:10

a

Guild: 00:16:10

life

Guild: 00:16:10

saver!"
It

Guild: 00:16:12

was

Guild: 00:16:13

hard

Guild: 00:16:13

to

Guild: 00:16:13

tell

Guild: 00:16:13

with

Guild: 00:16:14

the

Guild: 00:16:14

infinite

Guild: 00:16:14

depths

Guild: 00:16:15

of

Guild: 00:16:15

her

Guild: 00:16:15

glower,

Guild: 00:16:16

but

Guild: 00:16:16

he

Guild: 00:16:17

thought

Guild: 00:16:17

she

Guild: 00:16:17

might

Guild: 00:16:17

have

Guild: 00:16:18

rolled

Guild: 00:16:18

her

Guild: 00:16:18

eyes

Guild: 00:16:18

at

Guild: 00:16:19

him.

Guild: 00:16:19

He

Guild: 00:16:19

cared

Guild: 00:16:20

very

Guild: 00:16:20

little.

Guild: 00:16:20

Her

Guild: 00:16:21

advice

Guild: 00:16:21

was

Guild: 00:16:21

sound,

Guild: 00:16:22

and

Guild: 00:16:22

he

Guild: 00:16:22

knew

Guild: 00:16:22

exactly

Guild: 00:16:23

what

Guild: 00:16:23

to

Guild: 00:16:23

do.

Guild: 00:16:24

He

Guild: 00:16:24

beamed

Guild: 00:16:24

at

Guild: 00:16:24

her

Guild: 00:16:25

and

Guild: 00:16:25

then

Guild: 00:16:25

teleported

Guild: 00:16:26

away.
###
Tarr

Guild: 00:16:30

appeared

Guild: 00:16:31

outside

Guild: 00:16:32

of

Guild: 00:16:32

the

Guild: 00:16:32

Standing

Guild: 00:16:32

Stones

Guild: 00:16:33

in

Guild: 00:16:33

The

Guild: 00:16:33

City

Guild: 00:16:34

of

Guild: 00:16:34

Eternal

Guild: 00:16:34

Sunset,

Guild: 00:16:35

the

Guild: 00:16:35

closest

Guild: 00:16:35

major

Guild: 00:16:36

hub

Guild: 00:16:36

to

Guild: 00:16:36

Lantus.

Guild: 00:16:38

The

Guild: 00:16:38

bulletin

Guild: 00:16:38

boards--a

Guild: 00:16:39

series

Guild: 00:16:39

of

Guild: 00:16:40

large

Guild: 00:16:40

signs

Guild: 00:16:40

near

Guild: 00:16:41

the

Guild: 00:16:41

center

Guild: 00:16:41

of

Guild: 00:16:41

every

Guild: 00:16:42

hub

Guild: 00:16:42

city

Guild: 00:16:42

magically

Guild: 00:16:43

connected

Guild: 00:16:43

to

Guild: 00:16:43

one

Guild: 00:16:44

another--were

Guild: 00:16:45

largely

Guild: 00:16:45

unoccupied

Guild: 00:16:46

and

Guild: 00:16:46

he

Guild: 00:16:46

was

Guild: 00:16:46

able

Guild: 00:16:47

to

Guild: 00:16:47

quickly

Guild: 00:16:47

peruse

Guild: 00:16:48

the

Guild: 00:16:48

helpful

Guild: 00:16:48

guides

Guild: 00:16:49

that

Guild: 00:16:49

other

Guild: 00:16:49

adventurers

Guild: 00:16:50

had

Guild: 00:16:50

posted

Guild: 00:16:50

to

Guild: 00:16:50

them

Guild: 00:16:51

until

Guild: 00:16:51

he

Guild: 00:16:51

found

Guild: 00:16:52

the

Guild: 00:16:52

recipe

Guild: 00:16:52

for

Guild: 00:16:52

the

Guild: 00:16:53

thing

Guild: 00:16:53

he

Guild: 00:16:53

knew

Guild: 00:16:54

he

Guild: 00:16:54

wanted

Guild: 00:16:54

to

Guild: 00:16:54

make.

Guild: 00:16:56

Or,

Guild: 00:16:56

to

Guild: 00:16:56

be

Guild: 00:16:56

more

Guild: 00:16:57

accurately,

Guild: 00:16:58

to

Guild: 00:16:58

get

Guild: 00:16:58

someone

Guild: 00:16:58

else

Guild: 00:16:59

to

Guild: 00:16:59

make,

Guild: 00:17:00

as

Guild: 00:17:00

he

Guild: 00:17:00

had

Guild: 00:17:00

not

Guild: 00:17:01

spend

Guild: 00:17:01

enough

Guild: 00:17:01

time

Guild: 00:17:01

levelling

Guild: 00:17:02

up

Guild: 00:17:02

his

Guild: 00:17:02

crafting

Guild: 00:17:03

to

Guild: 00:17:03

be

Guild: 00:17:03

able

Guild: 00:17:03

to

Guild: 00:17:03

successfully

Guild: 00:17:04

create

Guild: 00:17:04

the

Guild: 00:17:05

high

Guild: 00:17:05

level

Guild: 00:17:05

item

Guild: 00:17:05

he

Guild: 00:17:05

wanted.
The

Guild: 00:17:07

recipe

Guild: 00:17:08

required

Guild: 00:17:08

a

Guild: 00:17:08

number

Guild: 00:17:09

of

Guild: 00:17:09

easily

Guild: 00:17:09

procured

Guild: 00:17:10

items

Guild: 00:17:10

that

Guild: 00:17:10

Tarr

Guild: 00:17:10

could

Guild: 00:17:11

pick

Guild: 00:17:11

up

Guild: 00:17:11

for

Guild: 00:17:11

relatively

Guild: 00:17:12

cheap

Guild: 00:17:12

at

Guild: 00:17:12

the

Guild: 00:17:12

auction

Guild: 00:17:13

hall,

Guild: 00:17:13

where

Guild: 00:17:13

people

Guild: 00:17:13

could

Guild: 00:17:14

consign

Guild: 00:17:14

spare

Guild: 00:17:14

items.

Guild: 00:17:16

A

Guild: 00:17:16

few

Guild: 00:17:16

items,

Guild: 00:17:17

namely

Guild: 00:17:17

fire

Guild: 00:17:17

seeds

Guild: 00:17:18

and

Guild: 00:17:18

golden

Guild: 00:17:18

feathers,

Guild: 00:17:19

were

Guild: 00:17:19

prohibitively

Guild: 00:17:20

expensive,

Guild: 00:17:21

and

Guild: 00:17:21

one,

Guild: 00:17:22

heart

Guild: 00:17:22

of

Guild: 00:17:22

diamond,

Guild: 00:17:23

was

Guild: 00:17:23

unavailable.

Guild: 00:17:24

He

Guild: 00:17:24

would

Guild: 00:17:24

have

Guild: 00:17:24

to

Guild: 00:17:24

farm

Guild: 00:17:25

those

Guild: 00:17:25

himself.

Guild: 00:17:26

Another

Guild: 00:17:27

trip

Guild: 00:17:27

to

Guild: 00:17:27

the

Guild: 00:17:27

bulletin

Guild: 00:17:27

boards

Guild: 00:17:28

confirmed

Guild: 00:17:28

his

Guild: 00:17:29

fears.

Guild: 00:17:30

Only

Guild: 00:17:30

one

Guild: 00:17:30

mob

Guild: 00:17:31

in

Guild: 00:17:31

the

Guild: 00:17:31

entire

Guild: 00:17:31

world

Guild: 00:17:32

carried

Guild: 00:17:32

it,

Guild: 00:17:33

eternal

Guild: 00:17:33

cephalopods,

Guild: 00:17:35

and

Guild: 00:17:35

the

Guild: 00:17:35

chance

Guild: 00:17:35

of

Guild: 00:17:35

the

Guild: 00:17:35

item

Guild: 00:17:36

appearing

Guild: 00:17:36

was

Guild: 00:17:37

abysmal.
Tarr

Guild: 00:17:39

would

Guild: 00:17:39

not

Guild: 00:17:40

be

Guild: 00:17:40

dissuaded.

Guild: 00:17:41

He

Guild: 00:17:41

engaged

Guild: 00:17:41

a

Guild: 00:17:41

Mousenger,

Guild: 00:17:42

the

Guild: 00:17:42

diminutive,

Guild: 00:17:43

self-serious

Guild: 00:17:44

murine

Guild: 00:17:44

creatures

Guild: 00:17:45

that

Guild: 00:17:45

carried

Guild: 00:17:45

messages

Guild: 00:17:46

across

Guild: 00:17:46

the

Guild: 00:17:46

world,

Guild: 00:17:47

to

Guild: 00:17:47

send

Guild: 00:17:47

a

Guild: 00:17:47

letter

Guild: 00:17:48

to

Guild: 00:17:48

Micah,

Guild: 00:17:48

explaining

Guild: 00:17:49

that

Guild: 00:17:49

he

Guild: 00:17:49

was

Guild: 00:17:49

working

Guild: 00:17:50

on

Guild: 00:17:50

something

Guild: 00:17:50

and

Guild: 00:17:50

might

Guild: 00:17:51

be

Guild: 00:17:51

gone

Guild: 00:17:51

for

Guild: 00:17:51

a

Guild: 00:17:51

few

Guild: 00:17:51

days,

Guild: 00:17:52

with

Guild: 00:17:52

a

Guild: 00:17:53

promise

Guild: 00:17:53

that

Guild: 00:17:53

they'd

Guild: 00:17:53

have

Guild: 00:17:54

dinner

Guild: 00:17:54

on

Guild: 00:17:54

Winterwreath

Guild: 00:17:55

together.

Guild: 00:17:56

And

Guild: 00:17:56

then

Guild: 00:17:56

Tarr

Guild: 00:17:57

got

Guild: 00:17:57

to

Guild: 00:17:57

work.
The

Guild: 00:17:59

fire

Guild: 00:17:59

seeds

Guild: 00:17:59

were

Guild: 00:17:59

easiest,

Guild: 00:18:00

and

Guild: 00:18:01

took

Guild: 00:18:01

only

Guild: 00:18:01

a

Guild: 00:18:01

few

Guild: 00:18:02

hours

Guild: 00:18:02

of

Guild: 00:18:02

hunting

Guild: 00:18:02

down

Guild: 00:18:03

flame

Guild: 00:18:03

mandrakes.

Guild: 00:18:05

Golden

Guild: 00:18:05

feathers

Guild: 00:18:06

required

Guild: 00:18:06

a

Guild: 00:18:06

trip

Guild: 00:18:07

to

Guild: 00:18:07

the

Guild: 00:18:07

rarely

Guild: 00:18:07

traveled

Guild: 00:18:08

zone

Guild: 00:18:08

of

Guild: 00:18:08

Shadow's

Guild: 00:18:09

Ferry,

Guild: 00:18:09

a

Guild: 00:18:10

rocky,

Guild: 00:18:10

mountainous

Guild: 00:18:11

region

Guild: 00:18:11

crossed

Guild: 00:18:11

by

Guild: 00:18:11

dozens

Guild: 00:18:12

of

Guild: 00:18:12

shallow

Guild: 00:18:13

but

Guild: 00:18:13

swift

Guild: 00:18:13

rivers.

Guild: 00:18:14

Again,

Guild: 00:18:15

it

Guild: 00:18:15

took

Guild: 00:18:16

only

Guild: 00:18:16

a

Guild: 00:18:16

few

Guild: 00:18:16

hours'

Guild: 00:18:17

work.

Guild: 00:18:18

He

Guild: 00:18:18

returned

Guild: 00:18:18

home

Guild: 00:18:18

to

Guild: 00:18:19

the

Guild: 00:18:19

little

Guild: 00:18:19

cabin

Guild: 00:18:19

he

Guild: 00:18:19

shared

Guild: 00:18:20

with

Guild: 00:18:20

Micah

Guild: 00:18:20

just

Guild: 00:18:20

as

Guild: 00:18:21

the sun

Guild: 00:18:21

was

Guild: 00:18:21

setting.
Micah

Guild: 00:18:23

was

Guild: 00:18:24

not

Guild: 00:18:24

there.

Guild: 00:18:26

The

Guild: 00:18:26

coyote

Guild: 00:18:26

had

Guild: 00:18:26

left

Guild: 00:18:26

a

Guild: 00:18:27

note

Guild: 00:18:27

that

Guild: 00:18:27

said

Guild: 00:18:27

only

Guild: 00:18:28

that

Guild: 00:18:28

he

Guild: 00:18:28

was

Guild: 00:18:28

hard

Guild: 00:18:28

at

Guild: 00:18:29

work

Guild: 00:18:29

on

Guild: 00:18:29

Tarr's

Guild: 00:18:29

gift

Guild: 00:18:30

and

Guild: 00:18:30

would

Guild: 00:18:30

see

Guild: 00:18:30

the

Guild: 00:18:30

blue

Guild: 00:18:31

jay

Guild: 00:18:31

on

Guild: 00:18:31

Winterwreath.

Guild: 00:18:33

Tarr

Guild: 00:18:33

went

Guild: 00:18:33

to

Guild: 00:18:34

sleep

Guild: 00:18:34

with

Guild: 00:18:34

a

Guild: 00:18:34

knot

Guild: 00:18:35

in

Guild: 00:18:35

his

Guild: 00:18:35

stomach.
With

Guild: 00:18:37

two

Guild: 00:18:37

days

Guild: 00:18:38

left

Guild: 00:18:38

to

Guild: 00:18:38

go,

Guild: 00:18:39

Tarr

Guild: 00:18:39

left

Guild: 00:18:39

as

Guild: 00:18:39

soon

Guild: 00:18:40

as

Guild: 00:18:40

he

Guild: 00:18:40

awoke

Guild: 00:18:40

the

Guild: 00:18:40

next

Guild: 00:18:41

morning.

Guild: 00:18:41

He

Guild: 00:18:41

teleported

Guild: 00:18:42

directly

Guild: 00:18:42

to

Guild: 00:18:42

Hydropolis,

Guild: 00:18:43

the

Guild: 00:18:44

major

Guild: 00:18:44

hub

Guild: 00:18:44

city

Guild: 00:18:45

for

Guild: 00:18:45

the

Guild: 00:18:45

Verdant

Guild: 00:18:45

Shoals,

Guild: 00:18:46

a

Guild: 00:18:46

large

Guild: 00:18:47

zone

Guild: 00:18:47

primarily

Guild: 00:18:48

filled

Guild: 00:18:48

with

Guild: 00:18:48

small

Guild: 00:18:49

islands

Guild: 00:18:49

and

Guild: 00:18:49

large,

Guild: 00:18:50

rambling

Guild: 00:18:50

coral

Guild: 00:18:51

reefs.

Guild: 00:18:52

It

Guild: 00:18:52

was

Guild: 00:18:52

largely

Guild: 00:18:53

unpopulated,

Guild: 00:18:54

because

Guild: 00:18:54

few

Guild: 00:18:54

people

Guild: 00:18:55

wanted

Guild: 00:18:55

to

Guild: 00:18:55

waste

Guild: 00:18:55

time

Guild: 00:18:56

doing

Guild: 00:18:56

the

Guild: 00:18:56

long

Guild: 00:18:56

quest

Guild: 00:18:57

chain

Guild: 00:18:57

necessary

Guild: 00:18:58

to

Guild: 00:18:58

learn

Guild: 00:18:58

how

Guild: 00:18:58

to

Guild: 00:18:59

breathe

Guild: 00:18:59

underwater.
From

Guild: 00:19:01

there,

Guild: 00:19:02

it

Guild: 00:19:02

was

Guild: 00:19:02

a

Guild: 00:19:02

long

Guild: 00:19:02

hike

Guild: 00:19:03

to

Guild: 00:19:03

the

Guild: 00:19:03

desolate

Guild: 00:19:03

undersea

Guild: 00:19:04

cave

Guild: 00:19:04

that

Guild: 00:19:05

housed

Guild: 00:19:05

eternal

Guild: 00:19:05

cephalopods.

Guild: 00:19:07

Though

Guild: 00:19:07

several

Guild: 00:19:08

levels

Guild: 00:19:08

lower

Guild: 00:19:09

than

Guild: 00:19:09

him,

Guild: 00:19:10

they

Guild: 00:19:10

were

Guild: 00:19:10

tough

Guild: 00:19:10

fights.

Guild: 00:19:11

The

Guild: 00:19:12

creatures

Guild: 00:19:12

were

Guild: 00:19:12

resilient,

Guild: 00:19:13

hard

Guild: 00:19:13

to

Guild: 00:19:13

hit,

Guild: 00:19:14

and

Guild: 00:19:14

soaked

Guild: 00:19:15

up

Guild: 00:19:15

damage

Guild: 00:19:15

like

Guild: 00:19:15

a

Guild: 00:19:15

sponge

Guild: 00:19:16

while

Guild: 00:19:16

slamming

Guild: 00:19:17

into

Guild: 00:19:17

Tarr

Guild: 00:19:17

like

Guild: 00:19:17

a

Guild: 00:19:17

ton

Guild: 00:19:18

of

Guild: 00:19:18

bricks.

Guild: 00:19:19

Each

Guild: 00:19:19

battle

Guild: 00:19:20

was

Guild: 00:19:21

slog.

Guild: 00:19:23

Once

Guild: 00:19:23

he

Guild: 00:19:23

got

Guild: 00:19:24

into

Guild: 00:19:24

the

Guild: 00:19:24

rhythm,

Guild: 00:19:24

at

Guild: 00:19:24

least,

Guild: 00:19:25

he

Guild: 00:19:25

was

Guild: 00:19:25

able

Guild: 00:19:25

to

Guild: 00:19:25

speed

Guild: 00:19:26

up,

Guild: 00:19:26

but

Guild: 00:19:26

this

Guild: 00:19:26

created

Guild: 00:19:27

a

Guild: 00:19:27

different

Guild: 00:19:27

problem.

Guild: 00:19:28

There

Guild: 00:19:29

were

Guild: 00:19:29

only

Guild: 00:19:29

a

Guild: 00:19:29

few

Guild: 00:19:29

eternal

Guild: 00:19:30

cephalopods

Guild: 00:19:31

at

Guild: 00:19:31

a

Guild: 00:19:31

time,

Guild: 00:19:32

and

Guild: 00:19:32

he

Guild: 00:19:32

found

Guild: 00:19:33

himself

Guild: 00:19:33

clearing

Guild: 00:19:33

out

Guild: 00:19:33

the

Guild: 00:19:34

cave

Guild: 00:19:34

completely

Guild: 00:19:35

and

Guild: 00:19:35

then

Guild: 00:19:35

having

Guild: 00:19:35

to

Guild: 00:19:35

sit

Guild: 00:19:36

and

Guild: 00:19:36

wait

Guild: 00:19:36

for

Guild: 00:19:36

them

Guild: 00:19:36

to

Guild: 00:19:37

respawn.
When

Guild: 00:19:39

the

Guild: 00:19:39

day

Guild: 00:19:39

ended,

Guild: 00:19:40

Tarr

Guild: 00:19:40

still

Guild: 00:19:40

had

Guild: 00:19:40

not

Guild: 00:19:41

succeeded

Guild: 00:19:41

in

Guild: 00:19:42

finding

Guild: 00:19:42

a

Guild: 00:19:42

heart

Guild: 00:19:42

of

Guild: 00:19:43

diamond,

Guild: 00:19:43

though

Guild: 00:19:43

his

Guild: 00:19:44

outfit

Guild: 00:19:44

was

Guild: 00:19:44

stained

Guild: 00:19:45

with

Guild: 00:19:45

the

Guild: 00:19:45

slowly

Guild: 00:19:45

color-shifting

Guild: 00:19:46

ink

Guild: 00:19:46

of

Guild: 00:19:46

his

Guild: 00:19:47

foes.

Guild: 00:19:48

He

Guild: 00:19:48

considered

Guild: 00:19:49

going

Guild: 00:19:49

home,

Guild: 00:19:50

getting

Guild: 00:19:51

a

Guild: 00:19:51

good

Guild: 00:19:51

rest,

Guild: 00:19:51

and

Guild: 00:19:52

picking

Guild: 00:19:52

up

Guild: 00:19:52

bright

Guild: 00:19:52

and

Guild: 00:19:53

early

Guild: 00:19:53

the

Guild: 00:19:53

next

Guild: 00:19:53

day,

Guild: 00:19:54

but

Guild: 00:19:54

the

Guild: 00:19:54

thought

Guild: 00:19:55

of

Guild: 00:19:55

failure

Guild: 00:19:56

haunted

Guild: 00:19:56

him.

Guild: 00:19:58

Images

Guild: 00:19:58

of

Guild: 00:19:58

confessing

Guild: 00:19:59

to

Guild: 00:19:59

Micah

Guild: 00:19:59

that

Guild: 00:19:59

he

Guild: 00:20:00

had

Guild: 00:20:00

failed

Guild: 00:20:00

to

Guild: 00:20:00

get

Guild: 00:20:00

a

Guild: 00:20:00

present

Guild: 00:20:01

together,

Guild: 00:20:02

of

Guild: 00:20:02

the

Guild: 00:20:02

coyote

Guild: 00:20:02

collapsing

Guild: 00:20:03

into

Guild: 00:20:03

tears,

Guild: 00:20:04

flitted

Guild: 00:20:04

through

Guild: 00:20:05

Tarr's

Guild: 00:20:05

imagination.

Guild: 00:20:06

It

Guild: 00:20:07

woke

Guild: 00:20:07

him

Guild: 00:20:07

more

Guild: 00:20:08

effectively

Guild: 00:20:08

than

Guild: 00:20:09

the

Guild: 00:20:09

highest

Guild: 00:20:09

quality

Guild: 00:20:10

coffee.
But

Guild: 00:20:11

he

Guild: 00:20:11

still

Guild: 00:20:12

needed

Guild: 00:20:12

a

Guild: 00:20:12

break.

Guild: 00:20:13

He

Guild: 00:20:14

retreated

Guild: 00:20:14

from

Guild: 00:20:14

the

Guild: 00:20:14

cave

Guild: 00:20:15

and

Guild: 00:20:15

set

Guild: 00:20:15

up

Guild: 00:20:15

a

Guild: 00:20:15

little

Guild: 00:20:16

camp

Guild: 00:20:16

on

Guild: 00:20:16

the

Guild: 00:20:16

shore

Guild: 00:20:16

of

Guild: 00:20:16

the

Guild: 00:20:17

nearest

Guild: 00:20:17

island.

Guild: 00:20:19

The light of

Guild: 00:20:19

the

Guild: 00:20:19

fire

Guild: 00:20:19

cast

Guild: 00:20:19

strange

Guild: 00:20:20

shadows

Guild: 00:20:21

across

Guild: 00:20:21

the

Guild: 00:20:21

sand

Guild: 00:20:22

and

Guild: 00:20:22

created

Guild: 00:20:22

little

Guild: 00:20:23

flashes

Guild: 00:20:23

of

Guild: 00:20:23

reds

Guild: 00:20:24

and

Guild: 00:20:24

pinks

Guild: 00:20:24

from

Guild: 00:20:25

the

Guild: 00:20:25

coral

Guild: 00:20:25

just

Guild: 00:20:26

below

Guild: 00:20:26

the

Guild: 00:20:26

surface

Guild: 00:20:27

of

Guild: 00:20:27

the

Guild: 00:20:27

crashing

Guild: 00:20:27

waves.

Guild: 00:20:29

The

Guild: 00:20:29

effect

Guild: 00:20:29

was

Guild: 00:20:29

rather

Guild: 00:20:30

hypnotic,

Guild: 00:20:30

and

Guild: 00:20:31

Tarr

Guild: 00:20:31

found

Guild: 00:20:31

himself

Guild: 00:20:32

lulled

Guild: 00:20:32

into

Guild: 00:20:32

a

Guild: 00:20:32

contemplative

Guild: 00:20:33

silence

Guild: 00:20:34

as

Guild: 00:20:34

he

Guild: 00:20:34

waited

Guild: 00:20:34

for

Guild: 00:20:35

his

Guild: 00:20:35

roast

Guild: 00:20:35

to

Guild: 00:20:35

finish

Guild: 00:20:36

cooking.
He

Guild: 00:20:39

loved

Guild: 00:20:39

Micah.

Guild: 00:20:40

The

Guild: 00:20:40

coyote

Guild: 00:20:41

completed

Guild: 00:20:41

him

Guild: 00:20:41

in

Guild: 00:20:42

a

Guild: 00:20:42

way

Guild: 00:20:42

that

Guild: 00:20:42

he

Guild: 00:20:42

hadn't

Guild: 00:20:43

ever

Guild: 00:20:43

realized

Guild: 00:20:44

was

Guild: 00:20:44

possible

Guild: 00:20:44

before

Guild: 00:20:45

they had

Guild: 00:20:45

met.

Guild: 00:20:46

He

Guild: 00:20:46

knew,

Guild: 00:20:47

without

Guild: 00:20:47

a

Guild: 00:20:47

shadow

Guild: 00:20:48

of

Guild: 00:20:48

doubt,

Guild: 00:20:49

that

Guild: 00:20:49

he

Guild: 00:20:49

would

Guild: 00:20:49

fight

Guild: 00:20:50

the

Guild: 00:20:50

toughest

Guild: 00:20:50

boss

Guild: 00:20:51

with

Guild: 00:20:51

his

Guild: 00:20:51

bare

Guild: 00:20:51

talons,

Guild: 00:20:52

travel

Guild: 00:20:53

to

Guild: 00:20:53

the

Guild: 00:20:53

farthest

Guild: 00:20:53

star

Guild: 00:20:54

with

Guild: 00:20:54

nothing

Guild: 00:20:54

more

Guild: 00:20:55

than

Guild: 00:20:55

what

Guild: 00:20:55

was

Guild: 00:20:55

in

Guild: 00:20:55

his

Guild: 00:20:55

pack,

Guild: 00:20:56

swim

Guild: 00:20:57

to

Guild: 00:20:57

the

Guild: 00:20:57

bottom

Guild: 00:20:57

of

Guild: 00:20:57

the

Guild: 00:20:57

deepest

Guild: 00:20:58

ocean,

Guild: 00:20:58

climb

Guild: 00:20:59

to

Guild: 00:20:59

the

Guild: 00:20:59

peak

Guild: 00:20:59

of

Guild: 00:20:59

the

Guild: 00:20:59

tallest

Guild: 00:21:00

mountain,

Guild: 00:21:01

if

Guild: 00:21:01

doing

Guild: 00:21:02

those

Guild: 00:21:02

things

Guild: 00:21:02

would

Guild: 00:21:03

make

Guild: 00:21:03

Micah

Guild: 00:21:03

smile that

Guild: 00:21:04

bright

Guild: 00:21:05

smile.

Guild: 00:21:07

But

Guild: 00:21:08

he

Guild: 00:21:08

also

Guild: 00:21:08

knew

Guild: 00:21:08

that

Guild: 00:21:09

Micah

Guild: 00:21:09

would

Guild: 00:21:09

never

Guild: 00:21:10

ask

Guild: 00:21:10

any

Guild: 00:21:10

of

Guild: 00:21:10

those

Guild: 00:21:11

things

Guild: 00:21:11

of

Guild: 00:21:11

him.

Guild: 00:21:13

Micah

Guild: 00:21:13

couldn't bear

Guild: 00:21:15

the idea

Guild: 00:21:15

of

Guild: 00:21:16

disrupting

Guild: 00:21:16

Tarr's

Guild: 00:21:17

life.
How

Guild: 00:21:19

it

Guild: 00:21:19

must

Guild: 00:21:20

have

Guild: 00:21:20

hurt

Guild: 00:21:20

the

Guild: 00:21:20

coyote,

Guild: 00:21:21

Tarr

Guild: 00:21:22

reflected,

Guild: 00:21:23

to

Guild: 00:21:23

hear

Guild: 00:21:23

that

Guild: 00:21:24

Tarr

Guild: 00:21:24

celebrated

Guild: 00:21:25

this

Guild: 00:21:25

idiotic

Guild: 00:21:26

holiday.

Guild: 00:21:28

Micah

Guild: 00:21:28

must

Guild: 00:21:28

have

Guild: 00:21:28

assumed

Guild: 00:21:29

that,

Guild: 00:21:29

for

Guild: 00:21:30

years,

Guild: 00:21:30

Tarr hid

Guild: 00:21:31

a

Guild: 00:21:31

part

Guild: 00:21:31

of

Guild: 00:21:31

his

Guild: 00:21:31

life

Guild: 00:21:32

from

Guild: 00:21:32

the

Guild: 00:21:32

coyote.

Guild: 00:21:34

If

Guild: 00:21:34

Tarr

Guild: 00:21:34

had

Guild: 00:21:34

found

Guild: 00:21:34

out

Guild: 00:21:35

that

Guild: 00:21:35

Micah

Guild: 00:21:35

had

Guild: 00:21:35

chosen

Guild: 00:21:36

not

Guild: 00:21:36

to

Guild: 00:21:36

share

Guild: 00:21:36

something

Guild: 00:21:37

so

Guild: 00:21:37

otherwise

Guild: 00:21:37

public,

Guild: 00:21:39

he

Guild: 00:21:39

thought

Guild: 00:21:39

he

Guild: 00:21:39

would

Guild: 00:21:39

felt

Guild: 00:21:40

like

Guild: 00:21:40

a

Guild: 00:21:40

huge

Guild: 00:21:40

breach

Guild: 00:21:41

of

Guild: 00:21:41

trust

Guild: 00:21:41

had

Guild: 00:21:41

opened

Guild: 00:21:42

between

Guild: 00:21:42

them.

Guild: 00:21:43

To

Guild: 00:21:44

simply

Guild: 00:21:44

hide

Guild: 00:21:44

a

Guild: 00:21:44

part

Guild: 00:21:45

of

Guild: 00:21:45

oneself

Guild: 00:21:45

away

Guild: 00:21:46

was

Guild: 00:21:46

so

Guild: 00:21:47

anathema

Guild: 00:21:47

to

Guild: 00:21:47

what

Guild: 00:21:48

Tarr

Guild: 00:21:48

considered

Guild: 00:21:48

the

Guild: 00:21:49

basis

Guild: 00:21:49

of

Guild: 00:21:49

their

Guild: 00:21:49

relationship,

Guild: 00:21:50

that

Guild: 00:21:51

he

Guild: 00:21:51

struggled

Guild: 00:21:51

to

Guild: 00:21:51

imagine

Guild: 00:21:52

how

Guild: 00:21:52

Micah

Guild: 00:21:52

was

Guild: 00:21:53

taking

Guild: 00:21:53

it.
That

Guild: 00:21:55

the

Guild: 00:21:55

coyote

Guild: 00:21:55

had

Guild: 00:21:55

chosen

Guild: 00:21:56

to

Guild: 00:21:56

spend

Guild: 00:21:56

the

Guild: 00:21:57

last

Guild: 00:21:57

few

Guild: 00:21:57

days

Guild: 00:21:58

before

Guild: 00:21:58

the

Guild: 00:21:58

holiday

Guild: 00:21:59

away

Guild: 00:21:59

from

Guild: 00:21:59

him

Guild: 00:22:00

pointed

Guild: 00:22:01

to

Guild: 00:22:01

a

Guild: 00:22:01

very

Guild: 00:22:02

negative

Guild: 00:22:02

answer

Guild: 00:22:03

to

Guild: 00:22:03

that

Guild: 00:22:03

question.
Tarr's

Guild: 00:22:06

reverie

Guild: 00:22:06

was

Guild: 00:22:06

broken

Guild: 00:22:07

by

Guild: 00:22:07

the

Guild: 00:22:07

sizzle

Guild: 00:22:08

of

Guild: 00:22:08

his

Guild: 00:22:08

roast

Guild: 00:22:08

announcing

Guild: 00:22:09

its

Guild: 00:22:09

doneness.

Guild: 00:22:10

Gingerly,

Guild: 00:22:11

he

Guild: 00:22:11

retrieved

Guild: 00:22:12

it

Guild: 00:22:12

from

Guild: 00:22:12

the

Guild: 00:22:12

fire

Guild: 00:22:12

and

Guild: 00:22:13

set

Guild: 00:22:13

it

Guild: 00:22:13

on

Guild: 00:22:13

a

Guild: 00:22:13

plate

Guild: 00:22:14

to

Guild: 00:22:14

cool.
"Oh,

Guild: 00:22:17

Micah,"

Guild: 00:22:19

Tarr

Guild: 00:22:19

said

Guild: 00:22:19

to

Guild: 00:22:19

no

Guild: 00:22:20

one

Guild: 00:22:20

in

Guild: 00:22:20

particular.

Guild: 00:22:21

Not

Guild: 00:22:22

surprisingly,

Guild: 00:22:22

there

Guild: 00:22:23

was

Guild: 00:22:23

no

Guild: 00:22:23

answer,

Guild: 00:22:24

no

Guild: 00:22:24

matter

Guild: 00:22:24

how

Guild: 00:22:24

long

Guild: 00:22:25

the

Guild: 00:22:25

blue

Guild: 00:22:25

jay

Guild: 00:22:25

waited.

Guild: 00:22:27

With

Guild: 00:22:27

a

Guild: 00:22:27

sigh,

Guild: 00:22:28

he

Guild: 00:22:28

ate

Guild: 00:22:28

his

Guild: 00:22:28

dinner

Guild: 00:22:29

without

Guild: 00:22:29

enthusiasm

Guild: 00:22:30

and

Guild: 00:22:31

then

Guild: 00:22:31

returned

Guild: 00:22:32

to

Guild: 00:22:32

the

Guild: 00:22:32

cave.
###
It

Guild: 00:22:36

was

Guild: 00:22:36

a

Guild: 00:22:36

little

Guild: 00:22:37

after

Guild: 00:22:37

midday

Guild: 00:22:38

when

Guild: 00:22:38

one

Guild: 00:22:38

of

Guild: 00:22:38

the

Guild: 00:22:38

eternal

Guild: 00:22:39

cephalopods

Guild: 00:22:40

finally

Guild: 00:22:40

dropped

Guild: 00:22:40

a

Guild: 00:22:40

heart

Guild: 00:22:41

of

Guild: 00:22:41

diamond.

Guild: 00:22:42

By

Guild: 00:22:42

then,

Guild: 00:22:43

Tarr

Guild: 00:22:43

was

Guild: 00:22:43

so

Guild: 00:22:44

tired

Guild: 00:22:44

that

Guild: 00:22:44

he

Guild: 00:22:44

very

Guild: 00:22:45

nearly

Guild: 00:22:45

walked

Guild: 00:22:46

away

Guild: 00:22:46

before

Guild: 00:22:46

the

Guild: 00:22:46

eternal

Guild: 00:22:47

cephalod's

Guild: 00:22:48

corpse

Guild: 00:22:48

faded

Guild: 00:22:49

to

Guild: 00:22:49

reveal

Guild: 00:22:49

the

Guild: 00:22:49

loot

Guild: 00:22:50

left

behind: 00:22:50

behind: 00:22:51

a

behind: 00:22:51

handful

behind: 00:22:52

of

behind: 00:22:52

silver

behind: 00:22:52

coins,

behind: 00:22:53

a

behind: 00:22:53

tarnished

behind: 00:22:54

bronze

behind: 00:22:54

dagger,

behind: 00:22:55

and

behind: 00:22:56

the

behind: 00:22:56

shining,

behind: 00:22:57

fist-sized

behind: 00:22:58

diamond

behind: 00:22:59

that

behind: 00:22:59

seemed

behind: 00:22:59

to

behind: 00:22:59

draw

behind: 00:22:59

in

behind: 00:23:00

every

behind: 00:23:00

source

behind: 00:23:00

of

behind: 00:23:00

light

behind: 00:23:01

into

behind: 00:23:01

a

behind: 00:23:01

brilliant

behind: 00:23:02

sparkle.

behind: 00:23:03

As

behind: 00:23:04

it

behind: 00:23:04

was,

behind: 00:23:04

he

behind: 00:23:04

stood

behind: 00:23:05

and

behind: 00:23:05

stared

behind: 00:23:05

at

behind: 00:23:06

it

behind: 00:23:06

for

behind: 00:23:06

a

behind: 00:23:06

solid

behind: 00:23:06

three

behind: 00:23:07

minutes

behind: 00:23:07

before

behind: 00:23:07

his

behind: 00:23:08

exhausted

behind: 00:23:08

brain

behind: 00:23:09

finally

behind: 00:23:09

urged

behind: 00:23:09

his

behind: 00:23:10

limbs

behind: 00:23:10

to

behind: 00:23:10

action.

behind: 00:23:12

It

behind: 00:23:12

was

behind: 00:23:12

not

behind: 00:23:12

a

behind: 00:23:12

moment

behind: 00:23:12

too

behind: 00:23:12

soon--the

behind: 00:23:13

coins

behind: 00:23:14

and

behind: 00:23:14

dagger

behind: 00:23:15

were

behind: 00:23:15

already

behind: 00:23:15

beginning

behind: 00:23:15

to

behind: 00:23:15

fade

behind: 00:23:16

from

behind: 00:23:16

existence

behind: 00:23:16

as

behind: 00:23:17

he

behind: 00:23:17

claimed

behind: 00:23:17

the

behind: 00:23:17

heart

behind: 00:23:17

of

behind: 00:23:18

diamond

behind: 00:23:18

and

behind: 00:23:19

ensured

behind: 00:23:19

its

behind: 00:23:19

continued

behind: 00:23:20

ontological

behind: 00:23:21

existence.
Tarr

behind: 00:23:23

shook

behind: 00:23:23

his

behind: 00:23:23

head

behind: 00:23:24

to

behind: 00:23:24

try

behind: 00:23:24

and

behind: 00:23:24

clear

behind: 00:23:24

the

behind: 00:23:25

cobwebs

behind: 00:23:25

out,

behind: 00:23:26

then

behind: 00:23:26

teleported

behind: 00:23:27

back

behind: 00:23:27

to

behind: 00:23:27

the

behind: 00:23:27

guildhall.

behind: 00:23:29

It

behind: 00:23:29

was,

behind: 00:23:29

as

behind: 00:23:30

usual,

behind: 00:23:30

packed,

behind: 00:23:31

filled

behind: 00:23:31

with

behind: 00:23:31

guild

behind: 00:23:31

members

behind: 00:23:32

relaxing

behind: 00:23:33

and

behind: 00:23:33

carousing.

behind: 00:23:34

He

behind: 00:23:34

declined

behind: 00:23:35

four

behind: 00:23:35

invitations

behind: 00:23:36

to

behind: 00:23:36

Winterwreath

behind: 00:23:36

parties,

behind: 00:23:37

two

behind: 00:23:38

offers

behind: 00:23:38

to

behind: 00:23:38

go

behind: 00:23:38

caroling,

behind: 00:23:39

and

behind: 00:23:39

one

behind: 00:23:40

request

behind: 00:23:40

to

behind: 00:23:40

help

behind: 00:23:40

defeat

behind: 00:23:41

the

behind: 00:23:41

ice

behind: 00:23:41

dragon

behind: 00:23:42

before

behind: 00:23:42

he

behind: 00:23:42

finally

behind: 00:23:43

found

behind: 00:23:43

Levak,

behind: 00:23:44

sitting

behind: 00:23:44

in

behind: 00:23:44

a

behind: 00:23:44

quiet,

behind: 00:23:45

little-used

behind: 00:23:46

den

behind: 00:23:46

towards

behind: 00:23:46

the

behind: 00:23:46

back

behind: 00:23:47

of

behind: 00:23:47

the

behind: 00:23:47

Guildhall.

behind: 00:23:48

The

behind: 00:23:48

lion

behind: 00:23:49

barely

behind: 00:23:49

glanced

behind: 00:23:49

up

behind: 00:23:50

from

behind: 00:23:50

the

behind: 00:23:50

hefty

behind: 00:23:50

tome

behind: 00:23:50

he

behind: 00:23:51

was

behind: 00:23:51

perusing

behind: 00:23:51

when

behind: 00:23:51

Tarr

behind: 00:23:52

entered.
"You

behind: 00:23:54

want

behind: 00:23:54

me

behind: 00:23:54

to

behind: 00:23:54

craft

behind: 00:23:55

you

behind: 00:23:55

something,"

behind: 00:23:56

Levak

behind: 00:23:57

stated

behind: 00:23:57

the

behind: 00:23:58

moment

behind: 00:23:58

Tarr

behind: 00:23:58

opened

behind: 00:23:58

his

behind: 00:23:59

beak

behind: 00:23:59

to

behind: 00:23:59

ask. "Let

behind: 00:24:00

me

behind: 00:24:00

guess,

behind: 00:24:01

a

behind: 00:24:01

last

behind: 00:24:02

minute

behind: 00:24:02

gift

behind: 00:24:02

for

behind: 00:24:02

Micah?"
"How

behind: 00:24:05

did

behind: 00:24:05

you

behind: 00:24:05

know?"
"Word

behind: 00:24:07

travels."

behind: 00:24:09

Tarr

behind: 00:24:09

waited

behind: 00:24:09

on

behind: 00:24:10

tenterhooks

behind: 00:24:10

for

behind: 00:24:11

Levak

behind: 00:24:11

to

behind: 00:24:11

continue,

behind: 00:24:12

but

behind: 00:24:12

he

behind: 00:24:13

kept

behind: 00:24:13

stubbornly

behind: 00:24:14

silent,

behind: 00:24:14

idly

behind: 00:24:15

thumbing

behind: 00:24:15

through

behind: 00:24:16

the

behind: 00:24:16

book

behind: 00:24:16

on

behind: 00:24:16

his

behind: 00:24:16

lap.
"Will

behind: 00:24:19

you?"

behind: 00:24:21

Tarr

behind: 00:24:21

asked

behind: 00:24:21

finally.
Levak

behind: 00:24:24

raised

behind: 00:24:24

his

behind: 00:24:24

eyes

behind: 00:24:24

to

behind: 00:24:25

meet

behind: 00:24:25

Tarr's,

behind: 00:24:26

a

behind: 00:24:26

deep

behind: 00:24:26

frown

behind: 00:24:27

across

behind: 00:24:27

the

behind: 00:24:27

lion's

behind: 00:24:28

muzzle. "Yes,

behind: 00:24:31

but

behind: 00:24:31

only

behind: 00:24:32

because

behind: 00:24:32

I

behind: 00:24:32

like

behind: 00:24:32

Micah."
Tarr

behind: 00:24:35

released

behind: 00:24:35

a

behind: 00:24:35

breath

behind: 00:24:36

he

behind: 00:24:36

didn't

behind: 00:24:36

realize

behind: 00:24:36

he

behind: 00:24:37

was

behind: 00:24:37

holding,

behind: 00:24:37

then

behind: 00:24:38

explained

behind: 00:24:38

his

behind: 00:24:38

gift

behind: 00:24:39

idea

behind: 00:24:39

to

behind: 00:24:39

Levak.

behind: 00:24:40

The

behind: 00:24:41

lion's

behind: 00:24:41

mouth

behind: 00:24:41

fell

behind: 00:24:42

open

behind: 00:24:42

in

behind: 00:24:43

shock

behind: 00:24:43

at

behind: 00:24:43

the

behind: 00:24:43

request,

behind: 00:24:44

and

behind: 00:24:45

did

behind: 00:24:45

not

behind: 00:24:45

agree

behind: 00:24:46

until

behind: 00:24:46

Tarr

behind: 00:24:47

explained

behind: 00:24:47

how

behind: 00:24:47

he

behind: 00:24:47

had

behind: 00:24:48

secured

behind: 00:24:48

the

behind: 00:24:48

heart

behind: 00:24:49

of

behind: 00:24:49

eternity.
"It

behind: 00:24:52

could

behind: 00:24:52

break,"

behind: 00:24:53

he

behind: 00:24:54

cautioned

behind: 00:24:54

Tarr,

behind: 00:24:55

finally. "That's

behind: 00:24:56

a

behind: 00:24:56

tall

behind: 00:24:57

order

behind: 00:24:57

you're

behind: 00:24:57

making,

behind: 00:24:58

and

behind: 00:24:58

I

behind: 00:24:58

can't

behind: 00:24:59

guarantee

behind: 00:24:59

I

behind: 00:25:00

can

behind: 00:25:00

successfully

behind: 00:25:00

make

behind: 00:25:01

the

behind: 00:25:01

thing."
Truthfully,

behind: 00:25:04

Tarr

behind: 00:25:04

had

behind: 00:25:04

forgotten

behind: 00:25:05

that

behind: 00:25:05

that

behind: 00:25:05

was

behind: 00:25:06

a

behind: 00:25:06

possibility.

behind: 00:25:07

His

behind: 00:25:07

experience

behind: 00:25:08

with

behind: 00:25:08

making

behind: 00:25:08

was

behind: 00:25:09

too

behind: 00:25:09

limited.
Struggling

behind: 00:25:11

to

behind: 00:25:11

present

behind: 00:25:12

a

behind: 00:25:12

straight

behind: 00:25:12

face,

behind: 00:25:12

he

behind: 00:25:13

nodded

behind: 00:25:13

at

behind: 00:25:13

the

behind: 00:25:13

lion. "I

behind: 00:25:15

know,"

behind: 00:25:15

he

behind: 00:25:16

lied, "but

behind: 00:25:16

I

behind: 00:25:16

have

behind: 00:25:17

faith

behind: 00:25:17

in

behind: 00:25:17

the

behind: 00:25:17

spirit

behind: 00:25:18

of

behind: 00:25:18

the

behind: 00:25:18

season

behind: 00:25:18

that

behind: 00:25:18

you'll

behind: 00:25:18

succeed.

behind: 00:25:19

It'll

behind: 00:25:20

mean

behind: 00:25:20

a

behind: 00:25:20

lot

behind: 00:25:20

to

behind: 00:25:21

Micah."
Levak

behind: 00:25:23

snorted,

behind: 00:25:24

but

behind: 00:25:24

agreed.

behind: 00:25:25

He

behind: 00:25:25

accepted

behind: 00:25:26

the

behind: 00:25:26

components

behind: 00:25:26

from

behind: 00:25:26

Tarr

behind: 00:25:27

and

behind: 00:25:27

began

behind: 00:25:27

the

behind: 00:25:28

laborious

behind: 00:25:28

process

behind: 00:25:29

of

behind: 00:25:29

combining

behind: 00:25:29

the

behind: 00:25:29

materials

behind: 00:25:30

into

behind: 00:25:30

the

behind: 00:25:31

finished

behind: 00:25:31

project.

behind: 00:25:33

It

behind: 00:25:33

was

behind: 00:25:33

tiring

behind: 00:25:34

to

behind: 00:25:34

craft,

behind: 00:25:35

especially

behind: 00:25:36

for

behind: 00:25:36

higher

behind: 00:25:37

value

behind: 00:25:37

items,

behind: 00:25:38

but

behind: 00:25:38

took

behind: 00:25:38

very

behind: 00:25:39

focus,

behind: 00:25:40

unlike

behind: 00:25:41

more

behind: 00:25:41

mundane

behind: 00:25:41

skills

behind: 00:25:42

that

behind: 00:25:42

were

behind: 00:25:42

popular

behind: 00:25:43

with

behind: 00:25:43

those

behind: 00:25:43

who

behind: 00:25:43

did

behind: 00:25:43

not

behind: 00:25:43

adventure.

behind: 00:25:45

It

behind: 00:25:45

was

behind: 00:25:46

rather

behind: 00:25:46

like

behind: 00:25:46

a

behind: 00:25:46

brisk

behind: 00:25:47

jog

behind: 00:25:47

along

behind: 00:25:47

a

behind: 00:25:47

straight

behind: 00:25:48

path.

behind: 00:25:49

The

behind: 00:25:49

drawback

behind: 00:25:50

was

behind: 00:25:50

a

behind: 00:25:50

lack

behind: 00:25:50

of

behind: 00:25:50

control

behind: 00:25:51

over

behind: 00:25:51

one's

behind: 00:25:51

output. A

behind: 00:25:53

crafting

behind: 00:25:53

recipe

behind: 00:25:54

always

behind: 00:25:55

resulted

behind: 00:25:56

in

behind: 00:25:56

the

behind: 00:25:56

exact

behind: 00:25:57

same

behind: 00:25:57

outcome--there

behind: 00:25:58

was

behind: 00:25:58

never

behind: 00:25:59

any

behind: 00:25:59

variation

behind: 00:26:00

other

behind: 00:26:01

than,

behind: 00:26:01

occasionally,

behind: 00:26:01

size--and

behind: 00:26:03

there

behind: 00:26:03

was

behind: 00:26:03

always

behind: 00:26:04

the

behind: 00:26:04

possibility

behind: 00:26:05

of

behind: 00:26:06

failure.

behind: 00:26:07

An

behind: 00:26:07

accomplished

behind: 00:26:08

tailor

behind: 00:26:09

might

behind: 00:26:09

make

behind: 00:26:09

the

behind: 00:26:09

odd

behind: 00:26:10

mistake,

behind: 00:26:10

but

behind: 00:26:10

could

behind: 00:26:11

correct

behind: 00:26:11

it

behind: 00:26:11

on

behind: 00:26:11

the

behind: 00:26:11

fly,

behind: 00:26:12

and

behind: 00:26:12

could

behind: 00:26:13

add

behind: 00:26:13

flair

behind: 00:26:13

and

behind: 00:26:13

changes

behind: 00:26:14

as

behind: 00:26:14

they

behind: 00:26:14

saw

behind: 00:26:15

fit;

behind: 00:26:16

not

behind: 00:26:17

so

behind: 00:26:17

with

behind: 00:26:18

a

behind: 00:26:18

crafter.
But

behind: 00:26:20

while

behind: 00:26:21

the

behind: 00:26:21

theoretical

behind: 00:26:21

tailor

behind: 00:26:22

would

behind: 00:26:22

have

behind: 00:26:23

to

behind: 00:26:23

sit

behind: 00:26:23

and

behind: 00:26:24

concentrate,

behind: 00:26:25

Levak

behind: 00:26:26

was

behind: 00:26:26

free

behind: 00:26:26

to

behind: 00:26:26

chat

behind: 00:26:27

with

behind: 00:26:27

Tarr,

behind: 00:26:28

though

behind: 00:26:28

it

behind: 00:26:28

might

behind: 00:26:28

be

behind: 00:26:28

more

behind: 00:26:28

accurate

behind: 00:26:29

to

behind: 00:26:29

call

behind: 00:26:30

it

behind: 00:26:30

a

behind: 00:26:30

lecture.
"Have

behind: 00:26:32

you

behind: 00:26:32

discussed

behind: 00:26:33

any

behind: 00:26:33

of

behind: 00:26:33

this

behind: 00:26:34

with

behind: 00:26:34

Micah?"
"Well,"

behind: 00:26:37

said

behind: 00:26:37

Tarr, "We

behind: 00:26:39

made

behind: 00:26:39

plans

behind: 00:26:40

for

behind: 00:26:40

later

behind: 00:26:40

today..."
"No,

behind: 00:26:42

I

behind: 00:26:42

mean

behind: 00:26:43

about

behind: 00:26:43

your

behind: 00:26:43

disdain

behind: 00:26:44

for

behind: 00:26:44

this

behind: 00:26:44

holiday."
"I

behind: 00:26:46

don't

behind: 00:26:47

disdain

behind: 00:26:47

the--"
"Yes

behind: 00:26:48

you

behind: 00:26:48

do.

behind: 00:26:49

And

behind: 00:26:49

you're

behind: 00:26:49

going

behind: 00:26:50

to

behind: 00:26:50

subject

behind: 00:26:50

that

behind: 00:26:50

poor

behind: 00:26:51

innocent

behind: 00:26:52

coyote

behind: 00:26:52

to

behind: 00:26:52

a

behind: 00:26:52

lifetime

behind: 00:26:53

of

behind: 00:26:53

this

behind: 00:26:53

holiday

behind: 00:26:54

because

behind: 00:26:54

you

behind: 00:26:54

can't

behind: 00:26:55

own

behind: 00:26:55

up

behind: 00:26:55

to

behind: 00:26:55

telling

behind: 00:26:56

him

behind: 00:26:56

how

behind: 00:26:56

you

behind: 00:26:56

feel."
"It's

behind: 00:26:58

not

behind: 00:26:58

that

behind: 00:26:58

easy."
"It

behind: 00:26:59

is,

behind: 00:26:59

actually.

behind: 00:27:00

You

behind: 00:27:01

find

behind: 00:27:01

him,

behind: 00:27:01

sit

behind: 00:27:02

him

behind: 00:27:02

down,

behind: 00:27:02

and

behind: 00:27:03

say, 'Micah,

behind: 00:27:04

I

behind: 00:27:04

love

behind: 00:27:05

you

behind: 00:27:05

very

behind: 00:27:05

dearly,

behind: 00:27:05

but

behind: 00:27:06

I'm

behind: 00:27:06

much

behind: 00:27:06

too

behind: 00:27:06

much

behind: 00:27:07

up

behind: 00:27:07

my

behind: 00:27:07

own

behind: 00:27:07

ass

behind: 00:27:08

to

behind: 00:27:08

enjoy

behind: 00:27:08

this

behind: 00:27:09

holiday,

behind: 00:27:09

so

behind: 00:27:09

if

behind: 00:27:09

it's

behind: 00:27:10

all

behind: 00:27:10

the

behind: 00:27:10

same

behind: 00:27:10

to

behind: 00:27:10

you,

behind: 00:27:11

I'd

behind: 00:27:11

like

behind: 00:27:11

to

behind: 00:27:11

avoid

behind: 00:27:12

it

behind: 00:27:12

from

behind: 00:27:12

here

behind: 00:27:12

on

behind: 00:27:12

out.'"
"I

behind: 00:27:14

don't

behind: 00:27:14

want

behind: 00:27:14

to

behind: 00:27:15

hurt

behind: 00:27:15

him."
"Yes,

behind: 00:27:16

and

behind: 00:27:16

lying

behind: 00:27:17

to

behind: 00:27:17

him

behind: 00:27:17

is

behind: 00:27:18

surely

behind: 00:27:18

the

behind: 00:27:18

best

behind: 00:27:19

way

behind: 00:27:19

to

behind: 00:27:19

make

behind: 00:27:19

sure

behind: 00:27:19

you

behind: 00:27:19

don't

behind: 00:27:20

hurt

behind: 00:27:20

him."

behind: 00:27:21

Levak

behind: 00:27:21

stood

behind: 00:27:22

and

behind: 00:27:22

shoved

behind: 00:27:23

the

behind: 00:27:23

finished

behind: 00:27:23

item

behind: 00:27:23

into Tarr's

behind: 00:27:24

hands. "You're

behind: 00:27:25

on

behind: 00:27:25

your

behind: 00:27:25

own

behind: 00:27:26

for

behind: 00:27:26

gift-wrap.

behind: 00:27:27

And

behind: 00:27:27

a

behind: 00:27:27

spine."
That

behind: 00:27:30

made

behind: 00:27:30

Tarr

behind: 00:27:30

stiffen. "I

behind: 00:27:32

don't

behind: 00:27:32

criticize

behind: 00:27:33

the

behind: 00:27:33

way

behind: 00:27:33

you

behind: 00:27:34

go

behind: 00:27:34

on

behind: 00:27:34

dates.

behind: 00:27:35

And

behind: 00:27:35

besides,

behind: 00:27:36

I

behind: 00:27:36

don't

behind: 00:27:36

see

behind: 00:27:36

you

behind: 00:27:37

overflowing

behind: 00:27:37

with

behind: 00:27:38

Winterwreath

behind: 00:27:38

cheer."
"I

behind: 00:27:40

would

behind: 00:27:40

love

behind: 00:27:41

to

behind: 00:27:41

sit

behind: 00:27:41

and

behind: 00:27:42

continue

behind: 00:27:42

to

behind: 00:27:42

point

behind: 00:27:42

out

behind: 00:27:42

your

behind: 00:27:43

many

behind: 00:27:43

flaws,"

behind: 00:27:44

Levak

behind: 00:27:45

said,

behind: 00:27:45

as

behind: 00:27:46

though

behind: 00:27:46

Tarr

behind: 00:27:46

had

behind: 00:27:46

not

behind: 00:27:46

spoken, "But

behind: 00:27:48

I

behind: 00:27:48

volunteered

behind: 00:27:49

to

behind: 00:27:49

set

behind: 00:27:49

up

behind: 00:27:49

a

behind: 00:27:49

Winterwreath

behind: 00:27:50

party.

behind: 00:27:51

Have

behind: 00:27:51

fun

behind: 00:27:51

with

behind: 00:27:51

your

behind: 00:27:51

lies."

behind: 00:27:53

And

behind: 00:27:53

then

behind: 00:27:53

he

behind: 00:27:53

breezed

behind: 00:27:54

through

behind: 00:27:54

the

behind: 00:27:54

door

behind: 00:27:54

before

behind: 00:27:55

the

behind: 00:27:55

blue

behind: 00:27:55

jay

behind: 00:27:55

had

behind: 00:27:55

a

behind: 00:27:56

chance

behind: 00:27:56

to

behind: 00:27:56

respond.
Tarr

behind: 00:27:58

sat

behind: 00:27:59

and

behind: 00:27:59

fumed

behind: 00:28:00

until

behind: 00:28:00

he

behind: 00:28:00

realized

behind: 00:28:01

he

behind: 00:28:01

was

behind: 00:28:01

squeezing

behind: 00:28:01

Micah's

behind: 00:28:02

gift

behind: 00:28:02

so

behind: 00:28:02

hard he

behind: 00:28:03

was

behind: 00:28:03

in

behind: 00:28:03

danger

behind: 00:28:03

of

behind: 00:28:03

shattering

behind: 00:28:04

it.

behind: 00:28:05

With

behind: 00:28:05

an

behind: 00:28:05

effort,

behind: 00:28:05

he

behind: 00:28:06

relaxed,

behind: 00:28:07

stowed

behind: 00:28:07

the

behind: 00:28:07

present

behind: 00:28:08

in

behind: 00:28:08

his

behind: 00:28:08

inventory,

behind: 00:28:09

and,

behind: 00:28:10

lacking

behind: 00:28:10

anything

behind: 00:28:10

better

behind: 00:28:11

to

behind: 00:28:11

do,

behind: 00:28:11

collapsed

behind: 00:28:12

into

behind: 00:28:12

the

behind: 00:28:13

now-vacant

behind: 00:28:13

chair

behind: 00:28:14

to

behind: 00:28:14

take

behind: 00:28:14

a

behind: 00:28:14

nap

behind: 00:28:14

before

behind: 00:28:15

his

behind: 00:28:15

date

behind: 00:28:15

with

behind: 00:28:15

Micah.
###
Tarr

behind: 00:28:18

woke

behind: 00:28:19

to

behind: 00:28:19

the

behind: 00:28:19

sound

behind: 00:28:19

of

behind: 00:28:19

insistent

behind: 00:28:20

squeaking,

behind: 00:28:20

and

behind: 00:28:20

found

behind: 00:28:21

a

behind: 00:28:21

Mousenger

behind: 00:28:21

on

behind: 00:28:21

the

behind: 00:28:22

arm

behind: 00:28:22

of

behind: 00:28:22

the

behind: 00:28:22

chair,

behind: 00:28:22

looking

behind: 00:28:23

puffed

behind: 00:28:23

up

behind: 00:28:24

and

behind: 00:28:24

indignant.

behind: 00:28:25

It

behind: 00:28:25

allowed

behind: 00:28:26

Tarr

behind: 00:28:26

just

behind: 00:28:27

long

behind: 00:28:27

enough

behind: 00:28:27

to

behind: 00:28:27

rub

behind: 00:28:27

his

behind: 00:28:28

eyes

behind: 00:28:28

and

behind: 00:28:28

stretch

behind: 00:28:29

before

behind: 00:28:29

shoving

behind: 00:28:29

a

behind: 00:28:29

letter

behind: 00:28:30

into

behind: 00:28:30

his

behind: 00:28:30

hand

behind: 00:28:30

and

behind: 00:28:30

vanishing.
It

behind: 00:28:32

was

behind: 00:28:32

from

behind: 00:28:32

Micah,

behind: 00:28:33

asking

behind: 00:28:33

Tarr

behind: 00:28:34

to

behind: 00:28:34

meet

behind: 00:28:34

him

behind: 00:28:34

for

behind: 00:28:34

their

behind: 00:28:34

Winterwreath

behind: 00:28:35

celebration in

behind: 00:28:36

along

behind: 00:28:36

a

behind: 00:28:36

lonely

behind: 00:28:37

road

behind: 00:28:37

in

behind: 00:28:37

the

behind: 00:28:37

Broken

behind: 00:28:37

Giants

behind: 00:28:38

Zone

behind: 00:28:39

in--Tarr

behind: 00:28:40

checked

behind: 00:28:41

the

behind: 00:28:41

time--a

behind: 00:28:42

little

behind: 00:28:42

over

behind: 00:28:42

an

behind: 00:28:43

hour.

behind: 00:28:44

Micah

behind: 00:28:44

also

behind: 00:28:44

said

behind: 00:28:45

he

behind: 00:28:45

had

behind: 00:28:45

taken

behind: 00:28:45

care

behind: 00:28:45

of

behind: 00:28:46

their

behind: 00:28:46

dinner

behind: 00:28:46

plans,

behind: 00:28:47

and

behind: 00:28:47

then

behind: 00:28:47

had

behind: 00:28:47

a

behind: 00:28:47

little

behind: 00:28:48

doodle

behind: 00:28:48

of

behind: 00:28:48

a

behind: 00:28:48

cartoon

behind: 00:28:49

coyote

behind: 00:28:49

kissing

behind: 00:28:50

a

behind: 00:28:50

cartoon

behind: 00:28:50

blue

behind: 00:28:50

jay.

behind: 00:28:52

Micah

behind: 00:28:52

was

behind: 00:28:52

not

behind: 00:28:53

an

behind: 00:28:53

accomplished

behind: 00:28:53

artist,

behind: 00:28:54

but

behind: 00:28:54

the

behind: 00:28:54

sentiment

behind: 00:28:54

was

behind: 00:28:54

heartfelt,

behind: 00:28:55

and

behind: 00:28:55

it

behind: 00:28:56

made

behind: 00:28:56

Tarr

behind: 00:28:56

smile.
The

behind: 00:28:58

blue

behind: 00:28:58

jay

behind: 00:28:58

had

behind: 00:28:59

just

behind: 00:28:59

enough

behind: 00:28:59

time

behind: 00:28:59

to

behind: 00:28:59

head

behind: 00:29:00

home

behind: 00:29:00

and

behind: 00:29:00

shower

behind: 00:29:01

and

behind: 00:29:01

change

behind: 00:29:01

into

behind: 00:29:02

a

behind: 00:29:02

more

behind: 00:29:02

casual

behind: 00:29:02

outfit

behind: 00:29:03

before

behind: 00:29:03

setting

behind: 00:29:03

off

behind: 00:29:04

to

behind: 00:29:04

the

behind: 00:29:04

Broken

behind: 00:29:04

Giants

behind: 00:29:05

hub.

behind: 00:29:06

It

behind: 00:29:06

was

behind: 00:29:06

not

behind: 00:29:06

a

behind: 00:29:06

long

behind: 00:29:07

walk

behind: 00:29:07

from

behind: 00:29:07

there

behind: 00:29:08

to

behind: 00:29:08

Micah's

behind: 00:29:08

arranged

behind: 00:29:09

meeting

behind: 00:29:09

spot,

behind: 00:29:09

and

behind: 00:29:09

Tarr

behind: 00:29:10

was

behind: 00:29:10

able

behind: 00:29:10

to

behind: 00:29:11

take

behind: 00:29:11

in

behind: 00:29:11

the

behind: 00:29:11

view

behind: 00:29:11

as

behind: 00:29:11

he

behind: 00:29:12

ambled.

behind: 00:29:13

The "giants"

behind: 00:29:14

in

behind: 00:29:15

the

behind: 00:29:15

zone's

behind: 00:29:15

name

behind: 00:29:15

were

behind: 00:29:16

massive

behind: 00:29:16

stone

behind: 00:29:17

pillars,

behind: 00:29:18

some

behind: 00:29:18

more

behind: 00:29:18

than

behind: 00:29:19

a

behind: 00:29:19

hundred

behind: 00:29:19

feet

behind: 00:29:19

tall

behind: 00:29:20

and

behind: 00:29:20

thirty

behind: 00:29:21

feet

behind: 00:29:21

around.

behind: 00:29:22

One

behind: 00:29:22

in

behind: 00:29:22

three

behind: 00:29:23

was

behind: 00:29:23

broken

behind: 00:29:24

near

behind: 00:29:24

the

behind: 00:29:24

base,

behind: 00:29:24

though,

behind: 00:29:25

and these

behind: 00:29:25

lay

behind: 00:29:25

across

behind: 00:29:26

the

behind: 00:29:26

landscape

behind: 00:29:27

in

behind: 00:29:27

dramatic

behind: 00:29:27

poses,

behind: 00:29:28

creating

behind: 00:29:29

a

behind: 00:29:29

barren

behind: 00:29:29

but

behind: 00:29:30

beautiful

behind: 00:29:30

maze

behind: 00:29:31

of

behind: 00:29:31

weathered

behind: 00:29:31

stone.
Micah

behind: 00:29:33

was

behind: 00:29:33

waiting

behind: 00:29:33

just

behind: 00:29:34

where

behind: 00:29:34

he

behind: 00:29:34

said

behind: 00:29:34

he'd

behind: 00:29:34

be,

behind: 00:29:35

tail

behind: 00:29:35

wagging

behind: 00:29:36

and

behind: 00:29:36

a

behind: 00:29:36

picnic

behind: 00:29:36

basket

behind: 00:29:37

on

behind: 00:29:37

his

behind: 00:29:37

arm.

behind: 00:29:38

He

behind: 00:29:38

was

behind: 00:29:38

dressed

behind: 00:29:39

in,

behind: 00:29:39

of

behind: 00:29:39

all

behind: 00:29:40

things,

behind: 00:29:40

a

behind: 00:29:40

well

behind: 00:29:41

pressed

behind: 00:29:41

tuxedo.

behind: 00:29:42

The

behind: 00:29:43

stark

behind: 00:29:43

black

behind: 00:29:43

and

behind: 00:29:44

white

behind: 00:29:44

of

behind: 00:29:44

the

behind: 00:29:44

suit

behind: 00:29:44

worked

behind: 00:29:45

well

behind: 00:29:45

on

behind: 00:29:46

the

behind: 00:29:46

coyote,

behind: 00:29:47

highlighting

behind: 00:29:47

the

behind: 00:29:47

subtle

behind: 00:29:48

shifts

behind: 00:29:48

of

behind: 00:29:48

brown

behind: 00:29:49

and

behind: 00:29:49

red

behind: 00:29:49

in

behind: 00:29:49

his

behind: 00:29:49

fur.

behind: 00:29:50

Pinned

behind: 00:29:51

to

behind: 00:29:51

his

behind: 00:29:51

lapel

behind: 00:29:52

was

behind: 00:29:52

a

behind: 00:29:52

violet

behind: 00:29:52

ice

behind: 00:29:53

rose,

behind: 00:29:53

which

behind: 00:29:54

complimented

behind: 00:29:54

his

behind: 00:29:54

eyes.
"Hi,

behind: 00:29:58

yippers,"

behind: 00:29:59

Tarr

behind: 00:29:59

murmured

behind: 00:30:00

into

behind: 00:30:00

Micah's

behind: 00:30:00

ear

behind: 00:30:01

as

behind: 00:30:01

they

behind: 00:30:01

embraced.
"Hi,

behind: 00:30:03

yourself,

behind: 00:30:04

pretty

behind: 00:30:04

bird,"

behind: 00:30:05

Micah

behind: 00:30:05

murmured

behind: 00:30:06

back,

behind: 00:30:06

before

behind: 00:30:06

tilting

behind: 00:30:07

his

behind: 00:30:07

head

behind: 00:30:07

up

behind: 00:30:07

for

behind: 00:30:07

a

behind: 00:30:08

kiss. "You

behind: 00:30:09

ready?"
"For

behind: 00:30:11

a

behind: 00:30:11

picnic

behind: 00:30:12

with

behind: 00:30:12

you?"

behind: 00:30:13

Tarr

behind: 00:30:13

said,

behind: 00:30:13

grinning. "Always.

behind: 00:30:16

We're

behind: 00:30:16

going

behind: 00:30:16

to

behind: 00:30:16

eat

behind: 00:30:16

right

behind: 00:30:17

here

behind: 00:30:17

on

behind: 00:30:17

the

behind: 00:30:17

road?

behind: 00:30:18

It's

behind: 00:30:19

a

behind: 00:30:19

pretty

behind: 00:30:19

spot,

behind: 00:30:20

but

behind: 00:30:20

I

behind: 00:30:20

have

behind: 00:30:20

to

behind: 00:30:20

admit

behind: 00:30:21

I'm

behind: 00:30:21

a

behind: 00:30:21

little

behind: 00:30:21

confused

behind: 00:30:22

why

behind: 00:30:22

you

behind: 00:30:22

picked

behind: 00:30:23

it."
Micah

behind: 00:30:25

grinned

behind: 00:30:25

broad,

behind: 00:30:25

then

behind: 00:30:25

slipped

behind: 00:30:26

his

behind: 00:30:26

hand

behind: 00:30:26

into

behind: 00:30:26

Tarr's. "Oh,

behind: 00:30:29

no,

behind: 00:30:29

we're

behind: 00:30:29

not

behind: 00:30:30

eating

behind: 00:30:30

here."

behind: 00:30:31

And

behind: 00:30:31

then

behind: 00:30:32

he

behind: 00:30:32

teleported

behind: 00:30:32

away.
Most

behind: 00:30:35

people

behind: 00:30:35

could

behind: 00:30:35

only

behind: 00:30:35

teleport

behind: 00:30:36

to

behind: 00:30:36

their

behind: 00:30:36

home,

behind: 00:30:37

their

behind: 00:30:37

Guildhall,

behind: 00:30:38

and

behind: 00:30:38

major

behind: 00:30:38

travel

behind: 00:30:39

hubs,

behind: 00:30:40

of

behind: 00:30:40

which

behind: 00:30:40

each

behind: 00:30:40

zone

behind: 00:30:41

typically

behind: 00:30:41

had

behind: 00:30:42

exactly

behind: 00:30:42

one.

behind: 00:30:43

Micah,

behind: 00:30:44

however,

behind: 00:30:45

was

behind: 00:30:45

a

behind: 00:30:45

Golden

behind: 00:30:46

Duelist,

behind: 00:30:46

a

behind: 00:30:47

high-mobility

behind: 00:30:47

class

behind: 00:30:48

with

behind: 00:30:48

a

behind: 00:30:48

lot

behind: 00:30:49

of

behind: 00:30:49

teleportation

behind: 00:30:49

abilities.

behind: 00:30:51

Tarr

behind: 00:30:51

had

behind: 00:30:51

not

behind: 00:30:52

known,

behind: 00:30:52

until

behind: 00:30:53

that

behind: 00:30:53

moment,

behind: 00:30:53

that

behind: 00:30:54

a

behind: 00:30:54

Duelist

behind: 00:30:54

could

behind: 00:30:54

take

behind: 00:30:55

someone

behind: 00:30:55

along

behind: 00:30:55

with

behind: 00:30:56

them

behind: 00:30:56

when

behind: 00:30:56

they

behind: 00:30:56

teleported.

behind: 00:30:58

Nor

behind: 00:30:58

had

behind: 00:30:58

he

behind: 00:30:58

known

behind: 00:30:59

what

behind: 00:30:59

that

behind: 00:30:59

kind

behind: 00:30:59

of

behind: 00:30:59

teleportation

behind: 00:31:00

felt

behind: 00:31:01

like.

behind: 00:31:02

Normally,

behind: 00:31:02

teleporting

behind: 00:31:03

involved

behind: 00:31:03

a

behind: 00:31:03

few

behind: 00:31:03

seconds

behind: 00:31:04

of

behind: 00:31:04

concentration

behind: 00:31:05

and

behind: 00:31:05

then

behind: 00:31:05

an

behind: 00:31:05

instantaneous

behind: 00:31:06

transfer

behind: 00:31:07

from

behind: 00:31:07

one

behind: 00:31:07

location

behind: 00:31:08

to

behind: 00:31:08

the

behind: 00:31:08

next,

behind: 00:31:08

with

behind: 00:31:09

a

behind: 00:31:09

sensation

behind: 00:31:09

like

behind: 00:31:10

closing

behind: 00:31:10

your

behind: 00:31:10

eyes

behind: 00:31:11

when

behind: 00:31:11

you

behind: 00:31:11

step

behind: 00:31:11

through

behind: 00:31:11

a

behind: 00:31:11

door.

behind: 00:31:13

Micah's

behind: 00:31:13

version

behind: 00:31:14

involved

behind: 00:31:14

a

behind: 00:31:14

flash

behind: 00:31:15

of

behind: 00:31:15

blue

behind: 00:31:15

light

behind: 00:31:15

and

behind: 00:31:16

then

behind: 00:31:16

the

behind: 00:31:16

world

behind: 00:31:16

whipping

behind: 00:31:16

about

behind: 00:31:17

in

behind: 00:31:17

a

behind: 00:31:17

sensation

behind: 00:31:18

somewhere

behind: 00:31:18

between

behind: 00:31:19

falling

behind: 00:31:19

off

behind: 00:31:19

of

behind: 00:31:19

a

behind: 00:31:19

cliff

behind: 00:31:20

and

behind: 00:31:20

jumping

behind: 00:31:21

into

behind: 00:31:21

a

behind: 00:31:21

cold

behind: 00:31:21

lake.

behind: 00:31:22

The

behind: 00:31:22

effect

behind: 00:31:23

lasted

behind: 00:31:23

less

behind: 00:31:23

than

behind: 00:31:24

a

behind: 00:31:24

second,

behind: 00:31:24

but

behind: 00:31:25

Tarr

behind: 00:31:25

felt

behind: 00:31:25

as

behind: 00:31:25

out-of-breath

behind: 00:31:26

as

behind: 00:31:26

if

behind: 00:31:26

he

behind: 00:31:27

had

behind: 00:31:27

run

behind: 00:31:27

a

behind: 00:31:27

mile.
They

behind: 00:31:29

were

behind: 00:31:29

now

behind: 00:31:29

perched

behind: 00:31:30

on

behind: 00:31:30

the

behind: 00:31:30

exceedingly

behind: 00:31:31

narrow

behind: 00:31:31

broken

behind: 00:31:32

base

behind: 00:31:32

of

behind: 00:31:32

one

behind: 00:31:32

of

behind: 00:31:32

the

behind: 00:31:33

stone

behind: 00:31:33

pillars,

behind: 00:31:34

a

behind: 00:31:34

surprising

behind: 00:31:35

distance

behind: 00:31:35

from

behind: 00:31:35

the

behind: 00:31:35

ground.

behind: 00:31:37

The

behind: 00:31:37

view

behind: 00:31:37

was

behind: 00:31:38

spectacular--from

behind: 00:31:39

this

behind: 00:31:39

vantage,

behind: 00:31:40

Tarr

behind: 00:31:40

could

behind: 00:31:40

see

behind: 00:31:40

the

behind: 00:31:41

abstract

behind: 00:31:41

design

behind: 00:31:42

the

behind: 00:31:42

broken

behind: 00:31:42

pillars

behind: 00:31:43

made

behind: 00:31:43

as

behind: 00:31:43

they

behind: 00:31:43

crossed

behind: 00:31:43

each

behind: 00:31:43

other.
"Two

behind: 00:31:45

more

behind: 00:31:45

jumps,"

behind: 00:31:46

Micah

behind: 00:31:46

told

behind: 00:31:47

him.

behind: 00:31:47

Before

behind: 00:31:47

Tarr

behind: 00:31:48

could

behind: 00:31:48

object,

behind: 00:31:48

they

behind: 00:31:48

were

behind: 00:31:48

once

behind: 00:31:49

more

behind: 00:31:49

enveloped

behind: 00:31:50

in

behind: 00:31:50

that

behind: 00:31:50

falling/sinking/lightning

behind: 00:31:51

sensation.

behind: 00:31:53

And

behind: 00:31:53

then

behind: 00:31:53

again

behind: 00:31:53

they

behind: 00:31:53

vanished

behind: 00:31:54

and

behind: 00:31:54

reappeared,

behind: 00:31:55

now

behind: 00:31:55

atop

behind: 00:31:55

one

behind: 00:31:56

of

behind: 00:31:56

the

behind: 00:31:56

unbroken

behind: 00:31:56

pillars.

behind: 00:31:57

Its

behind: 00:31:58

top

behind: 00:31:58

was

behind: 00:31:58

almost

behind: 00:31:59

perfectly

behind: 00:32:00

flat,

behind: 00:32:00

and

behind: 00:32:00

the

behind: 00:32:00

whole

behind: 00:32:01

world

behind: 00:32:01

lay

behind: 00:32:02

out

behind: 00:32:02

before

behind: 00:32:02

them.
Micah

behind: 00:32:04

pointed

behind: 00:32:05

to

behind: 00:32:05

the

behind: 00:32:05

east,

behind: 00:32:06

beyond

behind: 00:32:06

the

behind: 00:32:06

boarders

behind: 00:32:07

of

behind: 00:32:07

Broken

behind: 00:32:07

Giants,

behind: 00:32:08

to

behind: 00:32:09

a

behind: 00:32:09

high,

behind: 00:32:09

flat

behind: 00:32:09

mesa

behind: 00:32:10

filled

behind: 00:32:10

with

behind: 00:32:10

scrubby

behind: 00:32:11

grass

behind: 00:32:11

and

behind: 00:32:11

crystal clear

behind: 00:32:12

waters. "That's

behind: 00:32:15

the

behind: 00:32:15

Plains

behind: 00:32:15

of

behind: 00:32:15

Shan,

behind: 00:32:16

and

behind: 00:32:16

that

behind: 00:32:17

tiny

behind: 00:32:17

town,

behind: 00:32:17

there,

behind: 00:32:18

near

behind: 00:32:18

the

behind: 00:32:18

edge?

behind: 00:32:19

That's

behind: 00:32:19

where

behind: 00:32:19

I

behind: 00:32:19

grew

behind: 00:32:19

up,

behind: 00:32:20

Eagle's Calling.

behind: 00:32:22

And

behind: 00:32:22

over

behind: 00:32:22

there,"

behind: 00:32:23

he

behind: 00:32:23

turned

behind: 00:32:24

to

behind: 00:32:24

face

behind: 00:32:24

the

behind: 00:32:24

opposite

behind: 00:32:24

direction,

behind: 00:32:25

towards

behind: 00:32:25

a

behind: 00:32:26

vague

behind: 00:32:26

seashore

behind: 00:32:27

hidden

behind: 00:32:27

in

behind: 00:32:27

rolling

behind: 00:32:27

waves

behind: 00:32:28

of

behind: 00:32:28

fog

behind: 00:32:28

and

behind: 00:32:29

vapor.
"That's

behind: 00:32:30

the

behind: 00:32:31

Sea

behind: 00:32:31

of

behind: 00:32:31

Mist,"

behind: 00:32:32

Tarr

behind: 00:32:32

said,

behind: 00:32:33

a

behind: 00:32:33

hint

behind: 00:32:33

of

behind: 00:32:34

wonder

behind: 00:32:34

creeping

behind: 00:32:34

into

behind: 00:32:35

his

behind: 00:32:35

voice. "Where

behind: 00:32:36

we

behind: 00:32:36

met."
Micah

behind: 00:32:38

smiled.

behind: 00:32:40

He

behind: 00:32:40

let

behind: 00:32:40

Tarr

behind: 00:32:40

take in

behind: 00:32:41

the

behind: 00:32:41

view

behind: 00:32:41

while

behind: 00:32:41

he

behind: 00:32:41

set

behind: 00:32:42

up

behind: 00:32:42

the

behind: 00:32:42

picnic,

behind: 00:32:43

which

behind: 00:32:43

turned

behind: 00:32:43

out

behind: 00:32:43

to

behind: 00:32:44

be

behind: 00:32:44

a

behind: 00:32:44

lot

behind: 00:32:44

of

behind: 00:32:44

Tarr's

behind: 00:32:45

favorite

behind: 00:32:45

foods,

behind: 00:32:46

but

behind: 00:32:46

Micah's

behind: 00:32:46

favorite

behind: 00:32:47

wine.

behind: 00:32:48

They

behind: 00:32:48

sat

behind: 00:32:49

in

behind: 00:32:49

silence

behind: 00:32:49

for

behind: 00:32:49

a

behind: 00:32:49

long

behind: 00:32:50

while,

behind: 00:32:50

admiring

behind: 00:32:51

the

behind: 00:32:51

view

behind: 00:32:51

and

behind: 00:32:52

sharing

behind: 00:32:52

each

behind: 00:32:52

other's

behind: 00:32:52

company.
Later,

behind: 00:32:55

when

behind: 00:32:56

the

behind: 00:32:56

food

behind: 00:32:56

and

behind: 00:32:56

wine

behind: 00:32:57

was

behind: 00:32:57

gone

behind: 00:32:58

and

behind: 00:32:58

the

behind: 00:32:58

sun

behind: 00:32:58

was

behind: 00:32:59

low

behind: 00:32:59

over

behind: 00:32:59

the

behind: 00:32:59

Sea

behind: 00:33:00

of

behind: 00:33:00

Mist,

behind: 00:33:01

turning

behind: 00:33:01

the

behind: 00:33:01

fog

behind: 00:33:01

a

behind: 00:33:01

brilliant

behind: 00:33:02

bouquet

behind: 00:33:02

of

behind: 00:33:03

red

behind: 00:33:03

and

behind: 00:33:03

orange,

behind: 00:33:04

Micah

behind: 00:33:04

slipped

behind: 00:33:04

an

behind: 00:33:04

arm

behind: 00:33:05

around

behind: 00:33:05

Tarr's

behind: 00:33:06

and

behind: 00:33:06

rested

behind: 00:33:07

his

behind: 00:33:07

head

behind: 00:33:07

on

behind: 00:33:07

the

behind: 00:33:07

blue

behind: 00:33:08

jay's

behind: 00:33:08

shoulder.

behind: 00:33:10

Tarr

behind: 00:33:10

was

behind: 00:33:10

just

behind: 00:33:10

starting

behind: 00:33:11

to

behind: 00:33:11

feel

behind: 00:33:11

content

behind: 00:33:12

and

behind: 00:33:12

sleepy

behind: 00:33:13

when

behind: 00:33:13

Micah

behind: 00:33:14

spoke.
"So,

behind: 00:33:17

are

behind: 00:33:17

you

behind: 00:33:17

going

behind: 00:33:17

to

behind: 00:33:18

tell

behind: 00:33:18

me

behind: 00:33:18

why

behind: 00:33:19

you

behind: 00:33:19

weren't

behind: 00:33:19

going

behind: 00:33:19

to

behind: 00:33:20

tell

behind: 00:33:20

me

behind: 00:33:20

you

behind: 00:33:21

hated

behind: 00:33:21

this

behind: 00:33:21

holiday?"
It

behind: 00:33:23

was

behind: 00:33:24

fortunate

behind: 00:33:24

that

behind: 00:33:24

they

behind: 00:33:25

had

behind: 00:33:25

stopped

behind: 00:33:25

eating,

behind: 00:33:25

or

behind: 00:33:26

Tarr

behind: 00:33:26

might

behind: 00:33:26

well

behind: 00:33:26

have

behind: 00:33:26

choked.
"What

behind: 00:33:28

do

behind: 00:33:28

you

behind: 00:33:28

mean?"

behind: 00:33:30

he

behind: 00:33:30

asked.
Micah

behind: 00:33:32

tilted

behind: 00:33:33

his

behind: 00:33:33

muzzle

behind: 00:33:33

up

behind: 00:33:33

to

behind: 00:33:33

meet

behind: 00:33:34

the

behind: 00:33:34

blue

behind: 00:33:34

jay's

behind: 00:33:34

gaze

behind: 00:33:35

coolly.

behind: 00:33:36

Tarr

behind: 00:33:36

was

behind: 00:33:36

pleased,

behind: 00:33:37

at

behind: 00:33:37

least,

behind: 00:33:37

to

behind: 00:33:37

see

behind: 00:33:37

that

behind: 00:33:37

Micah

behind: 00:33:38

was

behind: 00:33:38

smiling.
"I

behind: 00:33:40

couldn't

behind: 00:33:41

figure

behind: 00:33:41

out

behind: 00:33:41

why

behind: 00:33:41

you

behind: 00:33:42

never

behind: 00:33:42

told

behind: 00:33:42

me

behind: 00:33:43

about

behind: 00:33:43

the

behind: 00:33:43

holiday,

behind: 00:33:44

especially

behind: 00:33:44

when

behind: 00:33:45

Shay

behind: 00:33:45

said

behind: 00:33:45

you

behind: 00:33:45

celebrated.

behind: 00:33:47

I

behind: 00:33:47

asked

behind: 00:33:47

around

behind: 00:33:48

and

behind: 00:33:48

folks

behind: 00:33:49

told

behind: 00:33:49

me

behind: 00:33:49

you

behind: 00:33:49

hated

behind: 00:33:50

it,

behind: 00:33:51

which

behind: 00:33:51

seemed

behind: 00:33:51

to

behind: 00:33:51

track

behind: 00:33:52

a

behind: 00:33:52

little

behind: 00:33:52

better

behind: 00:33:52

with

behind: 00:33:53

you,

behind: 00:33:53

you

behind: 00:33:53

know,

behind: 00:33:54

never

behind: 00:33:54

mentioning

behind: 00:33:55

it."
"Oh,"

behind: 00:33:58

said

behind: 00:33:58

Tarr,

behind: 00:33:59

feeling

behind: 00:33:59

a

behind: 00:33:59

little

behind: 00:34:00

sheepish. "It's

behind: 00:34:01

just...

behind: 00:34:02

well,

behind: 00:34:02

it's

behind: 00:34:03

complicated."
"And

behind: 00:34:05

that's

behind: 00:34:05

fine,

behind: 00:34:06

I

behind: 00:34:06

understand

behind: 00:34:07

that.

behind: 00:34:08

What

behind: 00:34:08

I

behind: 00:34:09

don't

behind: 00:34:09

understand

behind: 00:34:10

is

behind: 00:34:10

why

behind: 00:34:10

you

behind: 00:34:10

didn't

behind: 00:34:10

just

behind: 00:34:11

tell

behind: 00:34:11

me

behind: 00:34:11

that,

behind: 00:34:11

and

behind: 00:34:11

let

behind: 00:34:11

me

behind: 00:34:12

spend

behind: 00:34:12

two

behind: 00:34:12

days

behind: 00:34:13

thinking

behind: 00:34:13

you'd

behind: 00:34:13

cut

behind: 00:34:13

me

behind: 00:34:14

out

behind: 00:34:14

of

behind: 00:34:14

an

behind: 00:34:14

important

behind: 00:34:14

part

behind: 00:34:15

of

behind: 00:34:15

your

behind: 00:34:15

life."
"Ah,"

behind: 00:34:19

Tarr

behind: 00:34:19

said,

behind: 00:34:20

ruffling

behind: 00:34:21

his

behind: 00:34:21

feathers

behind: 00:34:21

sheepishly.

behind: 00:34:22

He

behind: 00:34:23

could

behind: 00:34:23

feel

behind: 00:34:23

a

behind: 00:34:23

flush

behind: 00:34:24

creep

behind: 00:34:24

up

behind: 00:34:24

his

behind: 00:34:24

cheeks. "I...

behind: 00:34:27

don't

behind: 00:34:27

have

behind: 00:34:27

a

behind: 00:34:27

good

behind: 00:34:28

answer

behind: 00:34:28

for

behind: 00:34:28

that."
"I'll

behind: 00:34:30

take

behind: 00:34:31

any

behind: 00:34:31

answer,

behind: 00:34:31

so

behind: 00:34:31

long

behind: 00:34:32

as

behind: 00:34:32

it's

behind: 00:34:32

an

behind: 00:34:32

honest

behind: 00:34:33

one."
Tarr sighed

behind: 00:34:35

and

behind: 00:34:35

collected

behind: 00:34:36

his

behind: 00:34:36

thoughts.

behind: 00:34:37

Eventually,

behind: 00:34:38

he

behind: 00:34:38

said, "Because

behind: 00:34:41

sometimes

behind: 00:34:42

you

behind: 00:34:43

read

behind: 00:34:43

things

behind: 00:34:44

into

behind: 00:34:44

what

behind: 00:34:44

I

behind: 00:34:44

say

behind: 00:34:45

that

behind: 00:34:45

aren't

behind: 00:34:45

what

behind: 00:34:45

I

behind: 00:34:45

mean,

behind: 00:34:46

and

behind: 00:34:47

when

behind: 00:34:47

Shay

behind: 00:34:47

told

behind: 00:34:48

me

behind: 00:34:48

what

behind: 00:34:48

she'd

behind: 00:34:49

told

behind: 00:34:49

you,

behind: 00:34:49

I

behind: 00:34:50

was

behind: 00:34:50

worried

behind: 00:34:50

you'd

behind: 00:34:51

mistake

behind: 00:34:51

me

behind: 00:34:51

telling

behind: 00:34:52

you

behind: 00:34:52

I

behind: 00:34:53

wasn't

behind: 00:34:53

interested

behind: 00:34:54

for

behind: 00:34:55

me

behind: 00:34:55

telling

behind: 00:34:55

you

behind: 00:34:55

I

behind: 00:34:55

didn't

behind: 00:35:00

want

behind: 00:35:00

you

behind: 00:35:00

to worry about it. I... I just didn't want you to

behind: 00:35:00

worry

behind: 00:35:01

about

behind: 00:35:01

it,

behind: 00:35:01

yippers."
"That's

behind: 00:35:05

not

behind: 00:35:05

a

behind: 00:35:06

bad

behind: 00:35:06

answer,"

behind: 00:35:07

Micah

behind: 00:35:07

said. "Still

behind: 00:35:08

stupid,

behind: 00:35:10

but

behind: 00:35:10

not

behind: 00:35:10

bad."
"I

behind: 00:35:13

deserve

behind: 00:35:13

that,"

behind: 00:35:15

Tarr

behind: 00:35:15

said

behind: 00:35:15

with

behind: 00:35:15

a

behind: 00:35:15

laugh. "Do

behind: 00:35:18

you

behind: 00:35:18

forgive

behind: 00:35:18

me?"
"I

behind: 00:35:21

do,

behind: 00:35:23

so

behind: 00:35:23

long

behind: 00:35:23

as

behind: 00:35:23

you

behind: 00:35:24

promise

behind: 00:35:24

me

behind: 00:35:24

that

behind: 00:35:24

next

behind: 00:35:25

time

behind: 00:35:25

you'll

behind: 00:35:25

just

behind: 00:35:26

tell

behind: 00:35:26

me.

behind: 00:35:28

And

behind: 00:35:28

I

behind: 00:35:28

promise

behind: 00:35:28

to

behind: 00:35:28

try

behind: 00:35:29

and

behind: 00:35:29

listen

behind: 00:35:29

to

behind: 00:35:29

what

behind: 00:35:30

you

behind: 00:35:30

say

behind: 00:35:30

instead

behind: 00:35:31

of

behind: 00:35:31

what

behind: 00:35:31

I

behind: 00:35:31

think

behind: 00:35:32

you're

behind: 00:35:32

saying."

behind: 00:35:34

The

behind: 00:35:34

coyote

behind: 00:35:34

leaned

behind: 00:35:35

up

behind: 00:35:35

to

behind: 00:35:35

give

behind: 00:35:35

Tarr

behind: 00:35:35

a

behind: 00:35:36

long,

behind: 00:35:36

lingering

behind: 00:35:36

kiss. "And

behind: 00:35:39

if

behind: 00:35:39

you

behind: 00:35:39

give

behind: 00:35:39

me

behind: 00:35:40

the

behind: 00:35:40

present

behind: 00:35:40

I

behind: 00:35:41

know

behind: 00:35:41

you're

behind: 00:35:41

hiding."
Tarr

behind: 00:35:43

laughed

behind: 00:35:44

again,

behind: 00:35:44

then

behind: 00:35:44

pulled

behind: 00:35:45

it

behind: 00:35:45

out

behind: 00:35:45

of

behind: 00:35:45

his

behind: 00:35:45

inventory. "Sorry,

behind: 00:35:47

I

behind: 00:35:47

didn't

behind: 00:35:48

have

behind: 00:35:48

a

behind: 00:35:48

chance

behind: 00:35:48

to

behind: 00:35:48

wrap

behind: 00:35:49

it."

behind: 00:35:50

It

behind: 00:35:50

was

behind: 00:35:51

a

behind: 00:35:51

small

behind: 00:35:51

figure,

behind: 00:35:52

no

behind: 00:35:52

larger

behind: 00:35:53

than

behind: 00:35:53

Micah's

behind: 00:35:53

hand,

behind: 00:35:55

of

behind: 00:35:55

a

behind: 00:35:55

blue

behind: 00:35:55

jay

behind: 00:35:56

and

behind: 00:35:56

a

behind: 00:35:56

coyote,

behind: 00:35:57

looking

behind: 00:35:57

similar

behind: 00:35:58

though

behind: 00:35:58

not

behind: 00:35:58

identical

behind: 00:35:59

to

behind: 00:35:59

Tarr

behind: 00:35:59

and

behind: 00:35:59

Micah,

behind: 00:36:00

holding

behind: 00:36:01

hands,

behind: 00:36:02

made

behind: 00:36:02

out

behind: 00:36:02

of

behind: 00:36:02

shimmering

behind: 00:36:03

blue

behind: 00:36:03

diamond.

behind: 00:36:05

It

behind: 00:36:05

caught

behind: 00:36:05

the

behind: 00:36:06

last

behind: 00:36:06

rays

behind: 00:36:06

of

behind: 00:36:06

sunlight

behind: 00:36:07

and

behind: 00:36:08

sparkled

behind: 00:36:08

internally

behind: 00:36:09

with

behind: 00:36:09

an

behind: 00:36:09

indescribably

behind: 00:36:10

fierceness.
"Oh,"

behind: 00:36:15

said

behind: 00:36:15

Micah,

behind: 00:36:15

his

behind: 00:36:16

voice

behind: 00:36:16

catching in

behind: 00:36:16

his

behind: 00:36:16

chest. "Oh,

behind: 00:36:18

Tarr, it's

behind: 00:36:20

gorgeous."
"I'm

behind: 00:36:22

glad

behind: 00:36:23

you

behind: 00:36:23

like

behind: 00:36:23

it,"

behind: 00:36:24

Tarr

behind: 00:36:25

said,

behind: 00:36:25

watching

behind: 00:36:26

the

behind: 00:36:26

reflected

behind: 00:36:26

sunlight

behind: 00:36:27

fade

behind: 00:36:27

and

behind: 00:36:27

finally

behind: 00:36:28

go

behind: 00:36:28

out,

behind: 00:36:28

only

behind: 00:36:29

to

behind: 00:36:29

be

behind: 00:36:29

replaced

behind: 00:36:29

with

behind: 00:36:30

a

behind: 00:36:30

fainter

behind: 00:36:30

glimmer

behind: 00:36:30

of

behind: 00:36:31

reflected

behind: 00:36:31

starlight.
"Thank

behind: 00:36:35

you,"

behind: 00:36:36

Micah

behind: 00:36:36

said,

behind: 00:36:37

pulling

behind: 00:36:37

Tarr

behind: 00:36:37

down

behind: 00:36:38

into

behind: 00:36:38

another

behind: 00:36:38

long

behind: 00:36:38

kiss.

behind: 00:36:40

When

behind: 00:36:40

they

behind: 00:36:40

broke

behind: 00:36:40

apart,

behind: 00:36:41

he

behind: 00:36:41

said, "And

behind: 00:36:43

we

behind: 00:36:43

don't

behind: 00:36:44

have

behind: 00:36:44

to

behind: 00:36:44

celebrate

behind: 00:36:45

next

behind: 00:36:45

year

behind: 00:36:45

if

behind: 00:36:45

you

behind: 00:36:45

don't

behind: 00:36:46

want

behind: 00:36:46

to."
Tarr

behind: 00:36:48

tucked

behind: 00:36:49

an

behind: 00:36:49

arm

behind: 00:36:49

around

behind: 00:36:49

Micah's

behind: 00:36:50

waist,

behind: 00:36:50

pulling

behind: 00:36:50

the

behind: 00:36:51

coyote

behind: 00:36:51

into

behind: 00:36:51

the

behind: 00:36:52

warmth

behind: 00:36:52

of

behind: 00:36:52

his

behind: 00:36:52

feathers.
"You

behind: 00:36:55

know,"

behind: 00:36:57

he

behind: 00:36:57

said, "Maybe

behind: 00:36:58

it's

behind: 00:36:59

not

behind: 00:36:59

so

behind: 00:36:59

bad,

behind: 00:37:00

if

behind: 00:37:00

I

behind: 00:37:00

get

behind: 00:37:01

to

behind: 00:37:01

celebrate

behind: 00:37:01

it

behind: 00:37:01

like

behind: 00:37:02

this."




This

behind: 00:37:07

was “Winterwreath”

behind: 00:37:09

by

behind: 00:37:09

J.S.

behind: 00:37:10

Hawthorne,

behind: 00:37:11

read for you

behind: 00:37:12

by

behind: 00:37:12

Apollo Brightflank,

behind: 00:37:14

who

behind: 00:37:14

still

behind: 00:37:14

returns

behind: 00:37:15

to

behind: 00:37:15

the

behind: 00:37:15

prairie.

behind: 00:37:16

You

behind: 00:37:17

can

behind: 00:37:17

find

behind: 00:37:17

more

behind: 00:37:17

stories

behind: 00:37:18

on

behind: 00:37:18

the

behind: 00:37:18

web

behind: 00:37:18

at thevoice.dog,

behind: 00:37:20

or

behind: 00:37:20

find

behind: 00:37:20

the

behind: 00:37:21

show

behind: 00:37:21

wherever

behind: 00:37:21

you

behind: 00:37:21

get

behind: 00:37:22

your

behind: 00:37:22

podcasts.

behind: 00:37:24

Happy

behind: 00:37:24

Holidays,

behind: 00:37:26

and

behind: 00:37:26

Thank

behind: 00:37:26

you

behind: 00:37:26

for

behind: 00:37:26

listening

behind: 00:37:27

to

behind: 00:37:27

The

behind: 00:37:27

Voice

behind: 00:37:28

of

behind: 00:37:29

Dog.