Deepwood Weald krymménos

Father smiled.

That was all he needed.

Melaneus eased his forehead into his father's gentle affection and decided the reward was worth the effort. He had pleased him, and Melaneus felt good.

Father did not give his name. Melaneus took note of this with the slightest quirk of his head. He wondered why - and if he found words to fit his abstract thoughts, he would ask his father later.

For now he was distracted enough by Rodyn's word that he would leave. His heart felt weighty then - was this sadness? Melaneus would come to name the emotion as such. But he had no word for it now, only the smallest display as his ears drooped in disappointment.

And he looked to his father with a plead in his eyes. As if there was something Vorilye might do to make the stranger stay.