Jocelyn caught Layana in time and held her up, even as the smoke around them began to dissipate a little to reveal more of the temple's interior. There were a dozen alcoves of all different sizes lining the walls, and in several of them, dormant wooden bears sat motionless. Many of the alcoves were empty though.
"Children of the Sun," repeated the little bear that had called itself 'Kau'lano'. "Touched upon by the powers of Sa'wa, the great orb in the sky. Blessed by her warmth, cradled at her breast."
A pause. And then the voice spoke again with a hint of amusement.
"No, it is because of your hair. What, has no one ever compared the color of it to the sun before? I have slumbered for a long time, but the world was not even that primitive the last time I was awake."