Upstream, a flag snapped twice above the bypass, and the whole platform breathed easier under Loccy's palms.
The river's drag eased off the gate leaf, and the coupled frame finally stopped fighting her through Ferra's new joint. Loccy felt the change in her teeth, in her planted heels, and in all four of her Wings at once.
"He did it, the bypass is shut," she squealed, ears shooting straight up, "oh, good boy, very good boy!"
"Stop cooing and push!" Ferra bellowed from inside the housing.
'Lighter river, same stubborn captain, so now the whole thing finally gets to go my way.'
Captain Brann Keld stood near the platform's far rail, his war hammer cocked over one shoulder like a fishing pole. Thirteen Shards circled his forearms, and his eyes kept sliding past her toward the housing door and Ferra's precious joint.
"You're bleeding from the ear, rabbit," he called, rolling his wrist, "so why not sit down before you fall?"
"Hare, and it's mostly your guard's blood."
"Mostly?"
