Mudminnow River If I ever were to lose you, I'd surely lose myself.

when he left the duskfire leader, mahler carried the bundle of venison, east, again, in the direction of the cuesta. it was sundown now, and he knew that he could not be away from rivenwood this night, or any other.
the earthen river was ahead, a waterway filled with fine sand and polished stones. not preferable to the man, who had become spoilt and accustomed to the clear waters flowing within noctisardor.
he meant to cross its shining surface, but felt himself weaken into a coughing fit upon the bank. annoyed at the treacherous nature of his body, how such ugly ailments could not be thrown off, mahler turned and began to search for a path ahead.
and yet, he found himself stilled; he found himself caught in shock and incomprehension, as some feet away he took in the sight of a girl grown half to woman, wearing the eyes of nyx.
"ciri?"
but she had died in the snowfall.
mahler was helpless, staring.