19
By the time they reached the clearing, darkness had fallen and only the fact that Lapping Water had been able to contact the group as they neared the clearing had prevented the other woodfolk from mounting a search party.
Without a word, Tarkyn and Lapping Water separated on arrival to sit on opposite sides of the fire while Midnight trotted over to show Rainstorm his collection of snails. When the fuss had died down and everyone was installed with a glass of wine and something to eat, Tarkyn cleared his throat to gain everyone’s attention.
“As you may recall, yesterday I promised that before we left this forest, I would tell you what Nightwind had said to me.” He let his gaze travel slowly around the gathered audience, “What I had to do alone, I have done. So now I can tell you.” He
