Verdant Basin even in the darkness he's grasping for it

He was pushing things too far. Time to reign in his emotions.

Hm, maybe. A good thinking man! He chuckled in a belly-laugh way, although it blunted at the end.

There was ample doubt within Neizan that he'd see his wife wherever this boy led, but it was a fun game and he would let the boy think he had something of an upper hand; it was not true, of course. Neizan was smart enough and experienced enough to see a trick before it could play out.

You have many flowers in this patch of woods? Been here weeks now, but all I've seen is tree-mosses and grass. Been so busy keeping fed, and looking out for Zaira. . . hoo, I hope she's there.