When they returned to the firesite, a silent conference was in full swing. Several newcomers glanced nervously at the sorcerer prince, but so intent were they on their discussions that no one broke off to speak to him. Even Tree Wind and the harvesters merely nodded in acknowledgement.
Tarkyn parted company with Rainstorm and Ancient Oak as soon as they had offloaded their wood; they to join their kin while Tarkyn wandered off down to the stream. No one even seemed to register him leaving.
Tarkyn meandered a little way along the stream, watching moorhens strutting among the reeds and a couple of wood ducks alternately floating downstream on the current then paddling back upstream. The forest guardian was not feeling very communicative so kept his mind closed against any attempts to conta
