Frogspawn Swamp I worked hard all my lifetime

She took Ceridwen’s forgetfulness as a ploy designed to let her off the hook. The corner of her mouth lifted, glad her sin of rude randiness wouldn’t be held against her. Towhee was a little touched by the soft expression the younger witch wore as she offered well wishes in place of condolences, then urged Towhee not to go anywhere.

I plan to be around for a long time to come, she concurred, although when that day comes—since it comes for us all—it would tickle me if you were to steal one of my teeth or toe bones or something, and carry it with you somehow, Towhee mused, snickering at the thought.

She laughed a little harder at the appalled look on Meerkat’s face should a young stranger demand she be allowed to dismember her dead mother’s body. It probably couldn’t happen for all sorts of logistical reasons, though Towhee decided right then and there she should sit down both her older daughters and let them know if she had any real preferences for her remains.

Blinking away that morbid thought, Towhee said, I’m definitely okay now. How about you? It sounds like you’ve kept busy adventuring. Tell me more about that. And what’s next on your agenda?

There was a weeping willow tree ahead, growing out of a small mound of grass-covered earth. Wordlessly, Towhee pointed at it, then gave her companion a questioning look. Would she like to park beneath it for a bit while they caught up?