His next step took him into a glade, thick verdant grasses underfoot, a ring of dazzling flowers at the very edges of the black-boled trees encircling the clearing. Butterflies danced from one bloom of colour to the next. The patch of sky visible overhead was faintly tinted vermilion and the air seemed strangely thin.
A voice spoke behind him. ‘I do not welcome company here.’
The Errant turned. He slowly c****d his head. ‘It’s not often the sight of a woman inspires fear in my soul.’
She scowled. ‘Am I that ugly, Elder?’
‘To the contrary, vinia. Rather… formidable.’
‘You have trespassed into my place of refuge.’ She paused, then asked, ‘Does it so surprise you, that one such as myself needs refuge?’
‘I do not know how to answer that,’ he replied.
‘You’re a careful one, Errant.’
‘I
