Far to the north, deep in the Trier Mountains, a heavily pregnant Fallon leaned on her mate's arm as they entered the dark slash under the rocky outcropping through which they had spotted the single trail of smoke.
Inside a small fire burned in the center of the cave. At the sight of the newcomers the wings of the huddled creatures stirred and lifted dangerously. Fangs and claws glinted, even in the weak light of the waning fire.
She'd known it! She'd known that they hadn't all perished! It hadn't been possible that beings who were so strong, so filled with the will to live, had all died. No...they'd been here, waiting for her...just as she'd dreamed...just as she'd hoped.
"Who are you?" one of them snarled.
Fallon shook off Keir's arm and drew herself up to her full height, showing off the living bulge that mounded her abdomen.
"I am your salvation!"