The Greatwood had not, traditionally, given Hadama much trouble. Perhaps because he primarily traveled via the streams and rivers that crossed so much of it rather than the paths between the waterways, where shifting roots and branches could so easily obscure and mislead the paths. Or perhaps because he had once held friendship with Phoebe, demigoddess of Frey and leader of the Greatwood until her most recent disappearance.
That did not mean that it responded to him, however. Or that he was completely safe upon the ground paths when he chose to travel on two legs instead of his own trusted fins.
This morning, for instance, he had been seeking to leave the Village and head towards the Crimson Cataract. Yet every path he took out of the Village seemed to twist back on itself, leading him right back in. Patient as ever, he continued to attempt it as golden light bled through the young green of new leaves and the woods awoke to Flowerbirth.
The next time the path shifted ahead of him it was into an area he had not been to before. The roped off grounds and training dummies made it clear what kind of place he had found and Hadama paused thoughtfully. Movement caught his eye, and he blinked, surprised to recognize the pale Ancient who was making use of the facility. "Maea," he rumbled, pleased to find a friend. "May I join you?"
That did not mean that it responded to him, however. Or that he was completely safe upon the ground paths when he chose to travel on two legs instead of his own trusted fins.
This morning, for instance, he had been seeking to leave the Village and head towards the Crimson Cataract. Yet every path he took out of the Village seemed to twist back on itself, leading him right back in. Patient as ever, he continued to attempt it as golden light bled through the young green of new leaves and the woods awoke to Flowerbirth.
The next time the path shifted ahead of him it was into an area he had not been to before. The roped off grounds and training dummies made it clear what kind of place he had found and Hadama paused thoughtfully. Movement caught his eye, and he blinked, surprised to recognize the pale Ancient who was making use of the facility. "Maea," he rumbled, pleased to find a friend. "May I join you?"
