The fire roared as if someone had poured gasoline on it, but no one was adding branches or logs, yet it was burning hotter and higher in the night sky. Above it flew owls circling above the flames, catching hot updrafts. They dove, pivoted, spiraled around each other.

The drums became the consuming sound, drowning out even the fire. The drummers did not shapeshift and I ran over to one of them asking how the fire was burning so much hotter when no one was adding fuel. I had to put my mouth basicall...