Naavi
Naavi had filled a small jar with a bunch of lightning bugs and tied twine around the top for a handle. She'd first done this when Keyes was just a baby, having enjoyed how thrilled he was to handle the bugs on his own, for they were safe as long as they were in their jar.
LongNight around meant that it was darker than usual, the stars twinkled out, but fire, and the various creatures that created their own light, continued to shine. She led the way, calling, "You better keep up, Keyes! I expect better from you," as she flew through the air, avoiding trees, and branches. She was testing how well the boy knew the forest, and how well the forest knew him.
The healer grinned, as she landed on the shores of the crimson cataract. Her thoughts traveled forty-four years backward, teaching Keyes about the lichen, the forest. Telling him about how she had watched a young boy die from eating the lichen; and how she had promised to find a cure.
She had not yet found that cure, but she had not stopped.
"C'mon, slowpoke!" She called, into the dark. The Greatwood was her protector. There was no fear, not like the people had during LongNight, in the other areas of Caido.
Keyes reminded her of Alcyone, if only because the older fae-woman had helped to raise the boy. She was a fixture in both of their lives until she was lost at the Maithair. And it hurt, to remember Alcyone every time she looked at the boy she had raised, but at the same time...
It was nice, it was sweet. A constant reminder that Alcyone was never going to truly be gone.
LongNight around meant that it was darker than usual, the stars twinkled out, but fire, and the various creatures that created their own light, continued to shine. She led the way, calling, "You better keep up, Keyes! I expect better from you," as she flew through the air, avoiding trees, and branches. She was testing how well the boy knew the forest, and how well the forest knew him.
The healer grinned, as she landed on the shores of the crimson cataract. Her thoughts traveled forty-four years backward, teaching Keyes about the lichen, the forest. Telling him about how she had watched a young boy die from eating the lichen; and how she had promised to find a cure.
She had not yet found that cure, but she had not stopped.
"C'mon, slowpoke!" She called, into the dark. The Greatwood was her protector. There was no fear, not like the people had during LongNight, in the other areas of Caido.
Keyes reminded her of Alcyone, if only because the older fae-woman had helped to raise the boy. She was a fixture in both of their lives until she was lost at the Maithair. And it hurt, to remember Alcyone every time she looked at the boy she had raised, but at the same time...
It was nice, it was sweet. A constant reminder that Alcyone was never going to truly be gone.
Sen
