Battles start and end quickly, though when you are in the middle of them, time seems to move slowly.
When Birdie ran back into the clearing, all seemed to be over, and it was quiet except for the the sound of combatants catching their breath, and the groans of the wounded - whether friends or enemies, Birdie could not tell yet.
She did not see Holly at first, but Birdie saw Periwinkle standing near a clump of fern with lowered head. He was hovering over the limp form of the halfling tinker.
"Holly!" cried Birdie, and kneeling down, lifted her head and listened for breath. "Holly! Wake up! Talk to me!"
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