Herbalists' Cache iii. whispering woods of wild and lurid dreams

A memory surfaces, from somewhere behind the locked walls of her mind where she has forced them to stay. 

A beetle scrabbled across the stone floor of the cave, inciting delighted giggles from the pale girl clutched between Elve's paws. 

The stepmother smiled softly, the muscles of her face spasming from the lack of use. It faded soon, a flash of fire causing her to gasp as a split reopened in her lip. 

The girl turned, curious, and Elve forced another grin, tongue darting out in play - but also to hide the blood from the daughter of her heart.

Her eyes squeeze shut, pushing it away before it can hurt her. 

I am too, Druid. But it's my fault she's dead. 

Ocean eyes opened as he nudged her, and the Sami tried to smile reassuringly - immensely grateful that he could still see her. 

"Ta spirits speak wit' shadows on t'eir tongues now. I know not what t'ey want," she whispered.