Arrow Lake Jol

It never felt great to return to Diaspora’s former claim, still she did it as often as she could. There was pain here, but there was also solace. She didn’t know her father, she had been too young, but it felt right to be here – in the place she had been born. She felt safe, shielded from the world, imagining a protective spirit over her. She started to talk to him as she drew closer to the lake.

Father?

He never answered, not that she could hear.

I am here, my River.

Father, I tried going back, but I couldn’t. I just can’t forgive him. It hurts to even…

She paused as she reached the lake. There was someone unfamiliar ahead, and she steeled herself to the encounter. The stranger had as much right to be here as she did, yet she still saw him as intruding. River huffed to herself, then padded up to the lake, many deer-leaps to the male’s right. Enjoying the view? she called, though her tone wasn’t exactly friendly.