Bitterroot Valley dalnum

Food should have been appealing to any traveler.

All she can think of is the stranger. Who was he? Where had he come from? He smelled of no others which meant they were both travelers — or at least alone. Yet they could take comfort in each other for this brief moment. Exchange words, if they shared any, and...then disappear?

Was that all her life was now?

See new faces, leave them behind.

She watched his gesture now. He pointed at himself and then uttered a singular word. No, a name.

Sega.

As familiar as it was strange.

She did not mimic his gesture but she would offer up the same information he had.

Svana, Coyly spoken as she dared to tilt her head to the side. Finally willing herself to look up into his gaze. She had dreamed of fall and now here was an autumn gaze. She could have laughed for the absurdity.