---
"I trust your judgment," Fenna replied dryly, sitting across from him.
The banter was light, but the eyes behind it were weary.
Emberling, now fully awake, chirped once and hopped into Star's side curl, tucking herself into the space between his neck and wing. Star made a deep-chested rumble—protective and pleased. The chick cooed once and nuzzled into his scales.
Zephyr ladled the first bowl of tea and handed it to Fenna. She took it with both hands, breathed in the aroma, and sipped slowly. Her shoulders sagged just a little, the day's weight settling.
He poured his own and sat back, letting the heat flood his chest with each drink. It wasn't just warmth, it was focus, liquid clarity that chased away fatigue and sharpened senses.
For a few minutes, they didn't speak.
Then Zephyr set his bowl down. "You saw the trail, didn't you? Back near the sulfur flats."
Fenna didn't deny it. "Four-pawed. Deep. Gait was too measured to be random."
