Cedar Sweep Black swan

He didn’t follow her immediately, hesitating as he weighed the idea of wandering off on his own again. The thought was tempting. And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Curiosity held him in place, his attention fixed on the strange little creature.

With a quiet huff, he finally started after her, his pace unhurried. His eyes tracked her carefully, watching as her slight, peculiar form skipped toward the sound of flowing water. At the very least, water was cleaner than the dirt she’d been rooting around in. Not that it would do her much good, but one could hope.

He muttered to himself, Yes, of course. Protection from monsters. How kind of you. The words were laced with dry amusement, the sentiment anything but sincere.