[Intro — Torren, Spoken over Radio Static] This is Thunderclaw Radio. The herd is safe on the western ridge. Eastern lowlands remain flooded. Astra and Flint are checking the high trail. Nobody moves until we hear from them. [Instrumental — Galloping Guitars, Rising Strings] [Verse 1 — Astra, Powerful Female Lead] We left the sleeping herd at dawn, Their tired heads beneath the pines. The storm had torn the hillside bare And buried all the warning signs. I saw a pass beyond the stone, A narrow shortcut through the grey. “We’ll have them sheltered before dark.” Then Flint stepped forward in my way. [Verse 2 — Astra, Building Tension] He pointed where the gravel slid, A hairline fracture in the shelf. I almost said, “We’ll make it through”— Then heard who I was trying to help. A broken branch went tumbling down, We never heard it hit below. I backed away and met his eyes: “Show me the road you think we know.” [Pre-Chorus — Female Lead, Male Harmony] Let the mountain keep my pride, I have lives upon my side. Turn around and call it courage— We are taking everyone tonight! [Chorus — Astra and Torren, Full Choir] We’ll take the longer way home! Where the high pines bend and the wild winds blow. No crown is worth the ones we leave, No song is worth their names in stone. Let the thunder shake the sky, We don’t have to race the lightning! If the road takes one more dawn, We’ll take the longer way home! [Radio Report — Torren, Spoken over Driving Bass] The direct pass is unsafe. Flint has found a trail around the northern shoulder. Astra is checking the far end. Keep the herd on the ridge. Let them rest. [Verse 3 — Astra, Driving Female Lead] We followed roots around the rock, Past twisted trees that held their ground. I let him set the walking pace, And listened when he heard a sound. Beyond the turn, the wind fell still; A sheltered hollow caught the sun. I called the tower, breathing hard: “The trail is clear. Bring everyone.” [Instrumental — Twin-Guitar Solo, Orchestral Countermelody] [Bridge — Astra, Quiet Piano] I thought a leader went ahead And never let the others see How often courage feels like doubt, How much their trust can weigh on me. [Flint — Brief Spoken Vocal] You stopped. You listened. That’s why they’re coming through. [Build — Torren, Clean Male Vocal] So tell it plain across the wire: She turned away. She brought them higher. [Final Chorus — Female Lead, Male Harmony, Full Choir] We took the longer way home! Where the high pines bend and the wild winds blow. No crown is worth the ones we leave, No song is worth their names in stone. Let the thunder shake the sky, We don’t have to race the lightning! Every tired soul came through— We took the longer way home! [Outro — Torren, Spoken over Soft Guitar] The herd has reached the northern hollow. Astra and Flint are staying with them tonight. Their old homes below are still underwater. No charge across a broken ledge. No glorious last stand. Just everyone accounted for. This is Thunderclaw Radio. That’s a story worth telling.
