I Was Feeling Down, I Found a Nice Witch and We're Friends

Álarr moved deeper into the Orchard noting that the plant life appeared as if it were in the thick of autumn. They were in a rhythm weeks ahead of schedule. His brow furrowed and he wished dearly that his father was here. If anyone had an explanation it would be Valentine but he didn't even know if his father was still alive. Alas he hadn't know his mother, not really, not beyond a shadow in a dream but he often imagined what she'd be like if she were alive and present with him now.

A shift in the breeze brought him to a halt as he had the sudden feeling that he wasn't alone. He glanced about and felt a chill run down his spine. Everything was quiet. All of a sudden a branch skittered across the ground. Álarr leapt back, fur on end. What in the hell? He immediately tried to reason that it was the wind but he knew in his heart it wasn't blowing strongly enough for that.