Shadewood kiaruk ❂

backdated to the 19th

loathe to leave behind her little dwelling near the totoka, kukutux knew she must honour her word to @Cry, and return to the keep with her decision. and so she made the trek as swiftly as she could, following the sea instead of crossing the mountains again. 

the girl found it good to sing as she trotted, letting her voice rise and fall with the ever-present crash of the waves. but at night she slept fitfully, and when the land began to turn white-sanded and warm, she knew soon the shadewood would rear imposingly in the distance. so it did, and dread began to rise in kukutux' heart, but she refused to be chained by it.

and so she crossed the border into the familiar dappled beauty of the deep weald, and called for him, verdant eyes holding a good deal more confidence than they had when cry first brought her to this place.