Dawnlark Plains And kiss her lips and take her hands

Casmir's nod was the closing of one chapter, and the beginning of a new one. With that solemn gesture, he penned the last word with a flourish, and set down the quill as well. Perhaps Saena would see him again, but if so, it would likely not be for quite a long time. Despite her own hidden heartache, she was okay with that, if only because it meant the both of them would grow in their own way. If Casmir did as she bid, and went back to the creek and took it in his name, then he would wed himself to her legacy, and would therefore always be part of her life, whether they were distant or not. It would become his own, and he would secure a future for himself and his lineage, much as Saena had sought to do when she founded it.

And Saena? She would surely begin anew. Casmir need not worry about her. "Good," she said with an approving lift of her lips, though her eyes shone with tears. "Farewell, Casmir. May we meet again someday. You will always be welcome." She hoped she could say the same about visiting him, but she supposed her refusal to return and her attempting to overrule the creek's current leadership would complicate any warm welcome she might receive. Oh well. The creek was behind her, the mountains ahead, and Saena had a new story to begin writing. She could not dwell on the past, not any longer.