A loud whumph made them whirl around. The fine old oak was ablaze, and the fire was spreading through its branches into neighbouring trees.
“Aargh!” cried out Tarkyn, his face tightening with shock as he ducked his head down and wrapped his arms protectively around his head.
“What’s wrong?” asked Thunder Storm, horrified by the prince’s reaction.
“Oh, for pity’s sake! The birds, the animals are burning. I can feel their anguish, feel their agony. Oh no!” Tarkyn was rocking back and forth, trying in vain to escape the overwhelming reactions of the burning animals. “I should have thought. I should have warned them. Oh, save me. How could I have been so thoughtless?”
Thunder Storm shook his head. “No one else thought of it either. You are not the only one to blame.”
“Aargh. Oh, the pain
