in tenebris est veritas.
Their long cloak and skirts drag heavily in the layers of mud that collect in the wake of their progress, kicked gently by quiet steps between gnarled trees and stagnant pools. They do not seem perturbed by the insects that buzz around the matted fur on their shoulders, nor the humid heat that seeps into their sweat-lined arms despite the inadequate chill of night. They do release a small sigh of relief as the cool mists roll in and disperse, pausing to try and detect the location of the laughter.
Inevitably they resume onward. "I am told it is a spirit," they reply without looking back, trudging to one side as they seem to spot something of interest. "Futile to communicate with, though far from unintelligent. Perhaps it watches us still."
In a single swift movement, their free hand shoots out from within their robes and grabs hold of a branch on a leaning tree. It jerks back just as quickly, snapping the limb off with a clean cracking noise. The leaning trunk rustles a little with the force of the extraction, revealing that it is long dead and drying. Carefully they lean their sagging quarry to one side and grab hold of another brittle branch. "Help me get some of this kindling. I will build a fire."
Inevitably they resume onward. "I am told it is a spirit," they reply without looking back, trudging to one side as they seem to spot something of interest. "Futile to communicate with, though far from unintelligent. Perhaps it watches us still."
In a single swift movement, their free hand shoots out from within their robes and grabs hold of a branch on a leaning tree. It jerks back just as quickly, snapping the limb off with a clean cracking noise. The leaning trunk rustles a little with the force of the extraction, revealing that it is long dead and drying. Carefully they lean their sagging quarry to one side and grab hold of another brittle branch. "Help me get some of this kindling. I will build a fire."
