Wood cracked and popped as the flames poured over the trees, the drier leaves on the ground providing perfect tinder as it coursed through the forest. What animals were still left by this point were quickly fleeing over the ground or burrowing into it. Those unlucky enough were already trapped and consumed by the heat and smoke. It would not be too much longer before they arrived at their doorstep.<br/><br/>Despite her words his tail lingered around her wrist, slowly uncurling and providing just enough resistance to catch her attention.<br/><br/>As she walked outside the wind howled with an oppressive heat and ash was already floating down on the clearing like snow. The flames could already be seen in the distance behind the first few rows of trees. The only saving grace was that they were in a small clearing, so unless the house itself caught flame they wouldn't be burned alive. Still, there were other ways to die from a forest fire than from the flames themselves.