The Heartwood Feel It All Without You

There was something in Harlyn that made the Ostrega feel a sense of kinship, despite being related to the Cinderloch no more than she was related to the grass beneath her paws. The woman met her with a genuine kindness, and a smile graced Andalusia's lips when Harlyn lighted the air with her beckon for Mordecai. Andalusia let her excitement buzz within, if only for a moment, and dipped her head in brief and silent thanks.

Mordecai did not keep them waiting. A movement through the trees alerted Andalusia to his approach and she let her ears fall slack, relaxing herself to show she was no threat to Harlyn. She meant no trouble, and kept her eyes averted from Mordecai's own. Instead her gaze fell upon every other inch of him, hungry for any sign of relation. He bore little resemblance to her or Esme, but to Sumayl and Ciervo... Andalusia steadied her hope, lowering her head in polite greeting, though Mordecai's attention had shifted naturally to Harlyn.

"My name is Andalusia, daughter of Dhani Ostrega." She lifted her head at the last word, and settled her gaze just beyond Mordecai's face. She would learn soon enough if the name meant anything to the man. In her peripheral she sought out a resemblance to her father, but after so many years, her memories of Dhani were nothing more than a hazy blur of brown. She couldn't even remember the colour of his eyes, whether they were pale like hers or the same rich hue as Mordecai's.