Ruinous Creatures

Etana deposits me in front of the matching hut and a small crowd of people—the order and the keepers who went to ensure their safe passage through the forest.

I ignore them, focusing on catching my breath. I’m not sure who is breathing harder, me or Etana. We both gulp air, her swollen belly heaving, me trying to breathe through the solid mask. But she is tossing her head in playful delight, and I can’t stop laughing.

I take a few steps and collapse on the ground beside Beadda, who is clutching the long grass like she will never part with it. I think she might be crying. Or laughing. Or both?

Etana and Lathai greet, rubbing their faces together briefly before turning to gallop off toward the cliffs they call home. As quickly gone as they’d come.