[Evan has been dragging his feet about bringing Imber to the spring proper. He had arrived close to the end of the train of recruits, and had gotten word of where the spring was, and half without knowing exactly why, he'd started to take a much more meandering path to that final destination. Imber is tucked in his sling and now and then Evan pets the squidge, or narrates some bit of their journey for its benefit.
For the part of the squidge, it seems oblivious to what's on the way, enjoying being carried as it always does. Evan is picking his way around trees, looking down at his charge -- not for much longer, he thinks -- when he rounds a gnarled boll and comes across the tableau of Meallan and a huge, hulking thing that can only be his squidge.
Evan stops in his tracks, hearing those last few words, and gets the dreadful feeling he's walked in on some ritual that might have been intended to be private.]
no subject
For the part of the squidge, it seems oblivious to what's on the way, enjoying being carried as it always does. Evan is picking his way around trees, looking down at his charge -- not for much longer, he thinks -- when he rounds a gnarled boll and comes across the tableau of Meallan and a huge, hulking thing that can only be his squidge.
Evan stops in his tracks, hearing those last few words, and gets the dreadful feeling he's walked in on some ritual that might have been intended to be private.]
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.
[He's already backing off as he says that.]