The Greatwood was open to the humans now, thanks to the part they had played in healing the Undine (though really that had been Arduinna's work). Cautious though Jigano was still about the Woods - not least because of the affliction in his blood - he still found a measure of solace among its singing life, so much more robust and vibrant than the weary woodlands of the Hollowed Grounds. Someday, he thought, the forests would resemble each other again, but it would take years, even decades, for the earth to replenish, and the plants and animals with it.
For now he ambled along the shore of the great river with the aid of a simple wooden staff to rest his weary weight against from time to time, letting the chatter and soothing song of the water calm the rage that was never far from his thoughts.
He had run into Hazel here before, and Ianto, and though he hadn't come looking for company beyond the presence of the pale gryphlet who flew above him he wasn't surprised to find one of the Fae splashing about in the water. It was too cold for his ever-chilled bones to enjoy, but he found a flicker of a tired smile for the familiar fellow-scholar who had waded into the Stonesong's flow. How long had it been since he had seen her? Months. Seasons, since that first ill-fated trip into the Greatwood had left him bereft of three friends. All had safely returned, for which he was grateful, and it made it easier now to settle against a sun-warmed rock and raise his voice in greeting to one who had offered him courtesy in the past.
"Hello, Eliza! Long time no see."
For now he ambled along the shore of the great river with the aid of a simple wooden staff to rest his weary weight against from time to time, letting the chatter and soothing song of the water calm the rage that was never far from his thoughts.
He had run into Hazel here before, and Ianto, and though he hadn't come looking for company beyond the presence of the pale gryphlet who flew above him he wasn't surprised to find one of the Fae splashing about in the water. It was too cold for his ever-chilled bones to enjoy, but he found a flicker of a tired smile for the familiar fellow-scholar who had waded into the Stonesong's flow. How long had it been since he had seen her? Months. Seasons, since that first ill-fated trip into the Greatwood had left him bereft of three friends. All had safely returned, for which he was grateful, and it made it easier now to settle against a sun-warmed rock and raise his voice in greeting to one who had offered him courtesy in the past.
"Hello, Eliza! Long time no see."
