The Heartwood things lost to the flames

Miyako was just about to attempt to snare a fish when a dark figure came upon her, stopping abruptly close by. She looked up, surprised, and discovered it was Varick, the handsome male she had come across in Neverwinter Forest.

He asked if he had surprised her. Yes, she thought sourly, thinking of the fish that had just gotten away. "Not at all," she fibbed, giving him a pleasant look. "I wasn't sure if I'd run into you again."

The big wolf gave every indication of outward calm, but his eyes, hollow and dazed, betrayed him. Something had disturbed him recently. "You okay?" Miyako asked, tilting her head. Perhaps it was the forest. She craned her neck around, glancing at the barren trees. "This place is. . .sad," she finished lamely, failing to come up with adequate words of description.