Down to the River

What wasn't covered with water (which wasn't a lot) was drowning in muck. With snow still melting and the ground waterlogged it was clear that the water wasn't simply being soaked up. If he had his guess Valentine was willing to bet that somewhere downstream the water had broken through someplace and forged a new trail, and essentially begun to drain what had backed up at this stretch of the river. Silt, leaves and whatever else the water could get in its clutches had been left behind in places where the water was receding. There wasn't just debris on the ground. Valentine was amazed to see just how much garbage littered the branches of trees - and how high the water had been in some places. There were places - quite a few of them - that he couldn't reach with a paw if he stretched up on his hind legs.

The progress of the woman didn't go unnoticed. While she was still a speck in the distance his eyes were able to detect the distinctly feminine qualities that set her apart from his own kind. As he carried on with his own business Valentine watched the woman out of the corner of his eye. The King didn't openly watch her for fear of making her uncomfortable, but he did keep casual track of her movements. He didn't like surprises.

She was moving a bit faster than he and it was clear with the way she was trying to arc around him that she didn't wish to stop and chat, so he didn't rush up and greet her. Instead he kept on walking and when they were finally within range of communicating and he saw her eyes rise up, Valentine simply sought eye contact and gave a polite nod of his head.