Stay your pretty eyes on course...

A move, from the beautiful island covered with the towering monolithic boats and rotting buildings, where Lailah had given birth, where they had found his family again and some newer additions. But Atreyu was worried, and given what had found its way to the island he couldn't blame her, the image in his head of a massive worm dripping molten rock and slag still fresh in his mind. His leg had not yet healed from his and Ultyr’s encounter with the beast. Different from the one made of plant life that the band had discovered, but if they were the same thing then the move was more than required before someone got hurt or worse…

But he had wanted some space after it all, soft feet moving over cobbled stone as he retraced his steps to a place they had passed in the travels. The open fields provided some comfort that did not suffocate and close in; instead, they were wide and open with softer grass that had not yet turned brittle with the autumn chill. There was hope that the herbs he had seen weren’t dead yet either, or maybe the more hardy winter plants had begun to bloom. Either way, Ganymede picked his way across the landscape quietly along the overgrown path.

It was easy to keep his mind off the always gnawing anxieties when he was surrounded by the delicate blooms and growths of plants. Being alone didn't bother him, though his mind did wander back time and again to Ultyr and Lailah and the newest little additions, a soft smile curling his lips as he picked through a small growth of Arnica he had found. Ultyr still had a long way to come, as arrogant and brash as ever, but there was progress. Lailah was a good mother as well, sweet and soft as always, the babies healthy and cared for deeply. Maybe he could find some Fenugreek here, everything seemed so abundant, and Lailah may need it while nursing at least. Something for himself too, to help with the pain and inflammation.

Moving on from the Arnica, Ganymede made his way over toward another patch but this time it was lavender growing up in beautiful purple blooms. Not yet dried and crumbling from the cold, but wilting some. Settling down into a lay, Gany quickly decided to sit with his back legs stretched out to one side while the rest of his body remained upright so he could gently pluck the flowers. Reaching, he found the satchel he discovered in the crumbling builds on the isle, full of little empty glass jars. He didn't know what it was used for before but now that it was his, he used it to hold different herbs and flowers. One full of mint, another now full of Arnica, several more holding ginger, raspberry leaves, and chamomile. Useful things, just like this lavender would be. Taking out the largest of the jars he had, he set about the task of gathering the flowers in the early dawn light.

"speech"

"other’s speech"