5
- 5 -
A shadow fell over Daventree, blocking the sun’s warmth from his face. He turned, and smiled as the silhouette revealed itself to be Kester.
“My dear friend!” He patted the rock next to him. “Please, take the weight off your legs.”
“Cold stone. How comfortable.” But Kester sat anyway, shuffling in a manner that was entirely an act.
“You still don’t appreciate the beauty before your eyes, I see,” Daventree said, waving an arm to take in the view.
Kester shrugged. “I like the forest. But this? The river looks cold, and over there it’s all rock and dust.”
“You’re forgetting the trees.”
“If you can call them that. No roots—not deep enough anyway—so they’re all stunted and ugly.”
Daventree shook his head. “I’d say that you’re layering your own fears over this landscape, rat
