Arialla nodded. "I've seen it grow too. Back in my world, we had stories of dryads, nymphs that dwelt in trees; sometimes people would give offerings to appease them before they cut down a tree. I don't think this tree needs to be appeased -- and I hope no one's going to cut it down -- but it might appreciate an offering anyway."
She smiled to find that he liked her idea. "Torchline reminds me of home. I don't think I could have stayed in the Grounds, so far from the ocean."
And then a chuckle: "You're welcome to join me -- we'll try to stay dry this time."
Looking down at the sand and shells at her feet, she started to move on -- slowly, as she waited for Henry to fall in beside her.
please don't take my sunshine away
