������ �� It burned...
        ~*Are we alive?*~
        ...burned away the layers of sleep...
        ~*I think so...but I'm not sure.*~
        ...spread fire through their body...
        ~*What happened?*~
        ...pushed back the welcome darkness that was Earth...
        ~*We lost.*~
        ...cast the shadow of failure over them...
        ~*Oh Goddess...*~
        ~*Yeah.*~
        ~*Thistle...*~
        ...and finally led back into the darkness...

        It still burned...
        ~*Well, I know we're alive this time...I think.*~
        ...there was only one explanation for it too...
        ~*I think I agree with you...though we may wish to be dead, if I'm right about something.*~
        ...only one thing that could cause such suffering...
        ~*Thist isn't dead.*~
        ...well, two...
        ~*I wasn't talking about that...I don't even think about that, and neither should you.*~
        ...but this was physical pain, and there was only one thing that could cause it...
        ~*Oh...right.*~
        ...silver...
        ~*Try not thinking about that either.*~
        ...it was fire that didn't answer to either of them...
        ~*How?*~
        ...they could only escape...

        ~*Alright, we have to do something this time. No more just laying here trying to ignore the fact that we failed, big time,*~ Warrior's mindvoice was still weak from the strain she had gone through escaping.
        Flame couldn't help but agree, if they didn't get some help soon, the silver poison would get them. And then it wouldn't matter if Storm actually managed to rescue Thistle, they'd be dead. ~*Why did we do that? Why didn't you stop me?*~
        Silence stretched on for several moments before Warrior finally snarled softly, ~*Because I didn't want to. I ached for vengeance as much as you did.*~
        ~*Thank you.*~
        ~*I love her too.*~
        ~*I know.*~
        A communal sigh filled their lungs, and was regretted as it sent shooting pains through their shoulder.
        ~*We need more silver birch bark,*~ Flame said, beginning the process of travel through the Earth.
        ~*I'm not looking forward to this,*~ Warrior answered, dreading the painful healing process that was going to follow.
        ~*Try not to think about it, remember?*~ Flame replied absently as she concentrated on their movement.
        Warrior sighed mentally this time, having learned her lesson. ~*Well, it's either that, or...*~
        ~*...no.*~
        ~*Right...something else altogether then.*~
        ~*Thank you.*~
        ~*Great Moon above! What the hell are we going to tell Thistle when she comes back? How can we face her?*~ Warrior's question went unanswered for long minutes as Flame struggled to grasp the words she wanted.
        ~*She'll understand.*~ Lame though it was, it was all Flame could find.
        ~*Let's hope so.*~
        A response was thankfully not necessary, as at that moment they had reached their destination and prepared to surface. To leave behind the sanctuary of the Earth and take the full force of their injuries. It wasn't going to be pretty. But it was necessary.
        ~*One.*~
        ~*Two.*~
        ...together they heaved their broken body towards the surface...

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''One Goal'' Copyright � 1999 Jessica Cahil