Noctisardor Bypass the longships

She tried to step lightly to avoid juddering Bracelet too much, while maintaining her focus on the Graf. Between these two things and her penchant for clumsiness, it was only a matter of time before Druid stumbled. Fortunately for all involved, Mahler’s still haunch braced her. Inhaling sharply, she drew back and checked on Bracelet, who was fine. Her eyes then cast upward apologetically.

But Mahler’s eyes were firmly closed. Druid slowly sank to her haunches beside him, then mimicked him by straightening her back and shutting her eyes. She tuned into the night with her other senses, hearing as well as touch and smell. The breeze that ruffled across the lagoon and tickled her face was scented with summer rain.

Her two-toned eyes slowly opened as Mahler spoke, widening a fraction at the sound of a distant loon. It was an eerie and melancholic noise, though one she actually knew well. Many of the sounds rustling in the night were like that: comforting in their familiarity.

She pondered the patriarch’s words a moment before quietly asking, How can trees speak if they don’t have mouths? It had not occurred to the young whelp that she might be taking some of his lessons a tad too literally.