The Heartwood roof of the world

The woman’s voice startled him, as did the sharp verdant of her stare. He lifted a single paw so that it was ready for him to flee when he saw that she did not intend to cause harm to his slight figure. Drawing the pink of his tongue over dark whiskers, the thief took a tentative step forward and hung his head low, guarding the soft underside of his throat. His lantern gaze roamed her figure with moderate interest before he pulled his attention to her face and responded in belated Hedgerow, “greetings.” The beryl-eyed woman had still not expressed a desire to harm him, so Tadec crept somewhat closer and offered a thin, shriveled smile upon his inky lips.