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Down on the rocky ledge, Tarkyn gradually became aware of something soft and damp rhythmically stroking his face. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself gazing into the grey eyes of a silver fox. The fox froze. Tarkyn sent him a wave of reassurance and after a moment, the fox resumed his l*****g. Tarkyn closed his eyes and let the fox’s gentle tongue soothe his aching face while he tried to figure out where he was.
At first, he thought he had fallen asleep again and wondered why his head and body were hurting and where the fox had come from. He wasn’t in his shelter or beside the stream. Then he remembered heading up the rocky path. He frowned in bewilderment. He must have fallen over and hit his head. Slowly he opened his eyes and pushed himself up onto one elbow. The fox stoppe
