Chapter 15
David walked back down the path through the woods, along the way finding a honey-coated Tanuki sleeping soundly at the base of a tree. He pocketed the turquoise stone, and carefully picked up Tanuki, who snorted in his sleep.
“Ey, boyo, you’ve been gone all night.” Gullin, in perfect health although dirty and a bit sleep-deprived, was sitting on the same log. The dying embers of a small campfire fizzled at his feet, and next to it were leftover bits of a grouse that he had caught for a late dinner.
David was so happy to see Gullin alive, he almost dropped Tanuki. “Gullin! You’re okay! I had a vision where you were a pile of bones!”
Gullin laughed brazenly. “Guess that explains how you feel about me.”
David dug the Turquoise out of his pocket, holding it up. “I spoke to
