Gilded Bay ebbed and flowed

lovely to meet you, bhai, govinda murmured, smiling. we'll meet again, rest assured.

govinda remained by the waves, waiting for ford to depart. he would watch him leave when he did, admiring--and fearing--the broad shoulders, the rippling muscles. a good friend to have. . .a powerful enemy to make. he would make sure he stayed on the man's good side. god help him if he stepped the wrong way.

once the dark form had disappeared over the horizon, he turned and loped back up to the plateau, depression ebbed. . .for now.