Swiftcurrent Creek A branch became a blade of dignity

part of the musiker wished to stop, wished to pause, to turn and to ask of her why she regarded him so. without hope of reason, mahler would not understand. and yet it was not his place to demand any such thing of wylla; her meaning was clear, and clearly taken. 
and yet it was with a heavier tread that mahler departed far from her company. he would not seek it again — he did not pause at his own densite, but left swiftcurrent for the remainder of the day. beyond the borders, it was pensiveness that gripped him, the sense of loyalty to constantine pitted against his desire to disappear and seek out warmer climes.