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Life on the river moved at a leisurely pace, and the moored riverboats were still shuttered, showing no sign of moving until the sun was well established in the morning sky. So, the woodfolk were able to spend long periods of the morning undisturbed on deck. However, as they neared the township, named unimaginatively The Rapids in the late afternoon, river traffic became more common and the woodfolk spent more of their time below decks.
Even so, Stefan found that he was spending more of his time with the woodfolk than with the outsiders, amongst whom he had been raised. He was also drawn to Tarkyn who, like himself, belonged to both worlds. In the late afternoon, he joined him at the foredeck railing where the forest guardian was frowning at the increased speed of the river.
Tarkyn g
