Deepwood Weald solenne

He didn’t react. Maybe she hadn’t yelled loud enough? Towhee took a step toward him, gearing up to shout again, louder this time. But then he finally seemed to notice her, golden eyes lifting while the rest of him drooped in the fashion of someone utterly miserable.

Oh, this isn’t, Towhee replied, pacing toward him, my land or anything, so it makes no difference to me if you stay or go.

She rolled to a stop maybe two yards away, eyeing the gloomy man. Who died? she thought, though some things were too crass even for Towhee to say out loud. It was very possible—maybe even probable—that this dude really was mourning a death.

You look like life whumped you pretty hard, Towhee observed in what she hoped was a kind tone of voice.