---
Fenna laughed until tears shone in her eyes. "We broke our pulling beast."
Zephyr threw his hands up. "Fine. She gets a break."
He fetched a bucket, filled it at the steaming side-pool, cooled it with char-coal filter rock, and lugged it to Muse's muzzle. The cow slurped noisily, flicking water across his face.
"Diva," he grumbled.
Muse licked his ear… soaking him with spit and resumed loafing.
As dusk painted the crater crimson, Fenna and Aurora practiced fire bursts. Then, Zephyr erected three wooden poles at varying heights. Aurora's job: flash-blind target; Fenna's job: spin-shot while Aurora veered aside.
Attempt one, Aurora's flash too early; Fenna loosed wide.
Attempt four, timed better, arrow scorched the center pole.
Attempt seven, perfect: Aurora flash-dipped, Fenna pivoted full circle, arrow screaming like a comet to split the topmost post. Splinters rained.
Aurora whooped a triumphant trill. Fenna grinned, sweat-slick hair whipping around her shoulders.
