Verdigris Ravine Apparition

Candle was attentive. She couldn't hope to understand what he conveyed but committed each small detail to her memory, willing that she carry the image and sound of it long enough to one day translate it for herself. One day she would know these words from his heart, for surely that was what they were. There was a deep sorrow in him that she felt she recognized.

And she knew that grief was a lonely feeling, lonelier for those who could not find the words to make others understand it.

One day she would know what he'd said. Today, she would try to bring some respite from the loneliness.

She pushed her nose into his cheek and moved forward with beckoning motions. Let's go, her gaze urged as she looked back at him. This golden place was theirs to explore, and perhaps somewhere among the sands they would find something to brighten Zoug's mood.