Paying My Respects

Jigano’s apology catches me off guard and I hesitate to leave, wavering once more on the precipice of indecision. Why do I care so? The words which follow it, too, touch into my conscience, like a guilt edged knife. I relent, sighing softly, and turn back with a lengthening smile reapplied; still, the cloak’s hood, like an awning overhead, probably serves to shield it from view. Out in this wilderness, morning, noon or night, ignorance stands out like a beacon and the forest is wily. Its predators are worse. “The Cat Sith prowls Ludo’s Woods. I’ve not seen it myself, but many others I know claim they have. The creature preys upon souls waiting for Ludo to guide them to the afterlife. I don’t know whether it feeds on warm flesh also.” My fickle expression changes, smile fading beneath a fog of concern as I look upwards at the risen giant before me. This time I hold no fear in Jigano’s impressive, intimidating presence; we have come a long way in that short span of time. For a second more I linger, silently pursuing an idea that defies my better judgement. “Perhaps…” my  brazen tongue begins tentatively, eyes watching the striking blue of his own all the while. The notion of the Outlander returning to Sidhe Village seems altogether absurd, but a flicker of hope stirs in my belly; it encourages out the lagging tail of the sentence. “…perhaps our paths might cross in the village one day.” It seemed unlikely that this encounter would repeat, here, anyway.