"Maheegan," Kiyiya called again, looking at her with a frown. As he opened his mouth to tell her not to apologize, all he could muster in his shock and fear was, "Duck!"

He tried to run forward to pull her down on the ground but found himself crouching as a large pack of wolves ran toward them, leaping over them at unreal heights. They sped past him and Maheegan toward the village, some of their feet painfully trampling over Kiyiya as they went. When every one of them had passed almost like a group of elk running from a predator, Kiyiya lay for a moment before dragging himself to his knees and looking to Maheegan.

"Are you alright?!" he called frantically, running toward her and sinking to his knees beside her. "Maheegan?"