The woodfolk did not continue their silent treatment during the afternoon and evening but Tarkyn made sure that he did not speak to anyone unless there were other conversations to cover the sound of his voice. There was an undercurrent of tension, and the resentment from many woodfolk was palpable. Tree Wind could often be seen at the centre of a discontented group. She seemed to spread dissention wherever she went.
Raging Water and Falling Branch were determined to ignore the general unpleasantness and spent a lot of the afternoon talking to the forest guardian about his powers and what the dangers ahead might be. If they noticed that he spoke quietly and did not try to engage others, they said nothing about it.
The prince didn’t make his move until after the evening meal. When he was r
