Blacktail Deer Plateau all the things yet to come are the things that have passed

When a howl slipped by on the wind, he stood in attention, curious. The voice did not call for him, the song sung to a different melody—Erzulie, it seemed, was the one with whom an audience was sought after. Curiosity further piqued by the vague familiarity of the varying tones, coupled with the summoning of the woman, he could not refrain from meeting this guest, too.

Lengthy strides and bounds across the plateau kept him moving effortlessly, seeking out Erzulie, at the very least. But when he arrived he spied two figures, one he recognised immediately whereas the other momentarily slipped his mind; initially, all he saw was an unknown figure, her place within their lands unwelcome. But gradually, as he drew even closer yet, he found familiarity in her expression—one of their own, a lost piece reappeared from thin air.

Aningan slowed to a gallop and then a steady trot, eyes trained on the two but body relaxed and expression friendly; he could not recall her name at that moment, having spent little time with her before, but he knew enough to realise the older woman’s fondness for the girl. The boy was quiet and kept his distance, for now, not wanting to greet the girl before Erzulie did.