Duck Lake Through the boughs of the garden

He did not have an answer for her.

Amalia made another offer. It was like she read his mind, offering alternatives to her new mountain home. He listened, head tilting, his lips pulling into a contemplative frown.

He thought of Ancelin. Atreus wouldn’t go back to the rise, nor would he call for his brother, lest his father and aunt hunt him down. But was he really ready to run off and never see him again?

I don’t know, he muttered, answering his own questions as much as Amalia’s.

He looked out across the lake and noticed some ducks on the far side. Atreus watched them for a moment, then turned back to Amalia with a mildly quizzical look on his face.

What’s the opposite of a mountain?