---
They rested under a basalt shelf. Star stretched out with a huff, steam curling from his nostrils. Zephyr unslung a waterskin and downed two gulps before dumping the rest on his neck.
His fingers tightened around the flask.
"Fenna's doing her part. So will we," he said aloud to Star.
He watched the flames ripple in the treetops, the smoke lines drawn like veins in the sky. Somewhere beyond those trees, she was dancing with fire. She was becoming something more than a casual beast Tamer.
They had no time to waste.
Zephyr hid ember-dust clay pots across the clearing. Then he blindfolded Star with the same soot dusted silk he used for travel protection.
"Sense test. You know the drill. Find the heat and smash it."
Star took one slow breath. Then padded east, muscles tensing with each shift in the air.
Crack!
The first pot smashed. He turned, stomped again and the second pot was gone.
