Ravensblood Forest as people endeavor to make it a story

the to'lang had been clear: north.

qiao shouldered the greenbrier torc around her neck, ignoring the contents of the deerskin as they jangled with each step.

the road ended here; this she knew by the sudden quiet of the overworld as she took her first steps into what appeared an impossibly dark forest.

its borders thick with the scent of settlement.

qiao kept a wide berth, finding a footpath worn by recent use. it was here she sat, waiting -- knowing eventually, whoever made these tracks would come across her on their return.

qiao waited a long time.

in the end, despite the metrics suggesting frequent travel, no one came.

and she decided if they did not notice her presence, they were not deserving of it.

gathering the clanging contents of her to'lang, qiao continued north.