Wapun Meadow let these shadows prove the sunshine

@Arlette

He had long overstayed his welcome here.

Winter still held a formidable grasp, but the days spoke of the quickening spring. Nights were shorter, the sun stood longer, and Malachi knew that soon enough, the fine spread of snow would melt and give way to new growth, to trees dressed in fine array, and sprawling fields aglow with prairie grass and wildflowers. He had never seen the spring dawn upon Duskfire; he had only watched as the flowers had wilted and wept into the endless pull of the night.

He was far from the glacier now, but if he raised his head and lifted his eyes just right, he thought he could see the scaling peaks through the layers of distant trees. It was a long way home - and he felt himself wither as he dropped his head, for the way held an end he wasn’t so sure he would ever be ready to face.