***
The cave was a large encroachment in the side of the mountain, just beside the waterfall with a spray from the rocks which made the air cool. The entrance was slippery due to the spray, with several jagged rocks around which made Adaria feel like it was more of a deathtrap than the homely cave Nero had described.
“It’s not much,” he said as they stood at the entrance so she could admire the waterfall, “but it’s comfortable. The water drowns out any noises I might make, and the trees block out the sunlight well enough that I feel comfortable staying here.”
Overhead, several tall trees had grown, with their leaves spreading out and forming a sort of canopy above the entrance.
“It’s not much,” he said, “but it’s home.”
Adaria turned to look at him, trying to gauge the meaning behin
