Noctisardor Bypass teil vier

after quitting sequoia's company, and moping about in slug-bound dawnleaf for a time, mahler set out to find the silvered target of his love. no matter how foolish he had been in regards to her, now was not the moment for his weakness. 
the colors here were autumnal despite the summer, a wave of gold and apricot. mahler felt as though in this part of the gilded wood he should certainly be so happy. but he was not. he had found her scent. it traveled beyond the forest, toward the water.
the sun descended slowly as mahler stalled the trek toward where he thought her to be. the cool of the mud around the rivulet soothed him, and he followed its trajectory to the impossibly massive tree which reached farther than his eye. there the graf lingered, choosing to pause here and practice what he might say to wylla.
eventually the grassland around the giant slid into reeds and shoals, of fresh wet earth and the trilling of insects. waterfowl squawked and crooned upon the sun-smooth surface of the water. 
and upon a tapered stone, the sterling withers of @Wylla, followed by her strong back and curved hips. her attention was intent upon the feathered creatures.
mahler's breath and resolve left him. he only stopped to watch her in admiration.