lonesome I came

'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take

Beautiful, yes, but perhaps the flats are deceptively so. There's always danger in the wilds of Caido - something that Lyra is more aware of than she might be were her job not so intricately entwined with the world's dark side. She's seen myriad ways that Caido can hurt and harm. She knows exactly how fatal it can be. It's not just the many creatures that roam the land and seas, but the very earth itself. Indeed, these salt flats are capable of draining the life from someone if they're not careful.

But it's also an excellent place to let her ring soak in the moonlight, so here she is anyway.

Head still tilted back, Lyra feels a prickle on the back of her neck, as though she's being watched - and when her eyes open, they hone in on a shadow that blots out sections of stars above. She's on her feet in an instant, wary gaze tracing the circling shade. She's not sure what it is or why it's circling her, but in her experience, such movements only mean one thing: a hunter is hunting, and given that she's the only thing out here... that makes her its prey.

If it were daylight, she'd shout, attempt to make herself bigger and louder to scare off whatever animal stalks her from above. But in the darkness, she can't quite muster the courage to draw more attention to herself. Instead, she waits, silently tracking the shadow in the sky, fingers lighting on the two hatchets at her belt. They aren't much - just basic axes that she carries with her to help with environmental challenges - but they're better than nothing.

So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
You've got no reason to be afraid

Lyra

Table inspired by the lovely Brit