Seon glanced down at Wyn again, grinning warmly as he rubbed his face into his soft sleeves. "I feel as though your mother is more insightful than you think, Wyn," Seon cooed softly to his friend, dropping his other arm to pull Wyn into a hug, patting his shoulders soothingly as they drew their shoulders together. "Sometimes I feel as though everyone is much more aware of your destiny than you think. After all, you and I will bring back the Gods for a more comfortable reign. And you and I are related as the God and Their Fae. It's a story whispered through the ears of the younger generations."
The God lapsed into silence as he stood and hugged Wyn close. It didn't feel as if he had been born and raised. Currently he just felt like he had always existed. Existed in the form Wyn knew him as, rather than Azzy. His self-image fluctuated with his real one it felt like.
Upon this thought, he leaned down to bump their heads together, antlers scratching up against long ears. "I am sorry I didn't remember. I hardly remember such minute details like that from my childhood. I change with my age, and my body reflects it." Their voice was dropped in a whisper, intending just Wyn to hear and understand based on what he knew about his God. "Every God goes through it, but the process was always strange with me. The fact that I could wake up somehow feeling different every day, changed through the night. Mostly small things. It is a strange living indeed, especially when I don't bother to notice."
Venera watched the interaction with curiosity and nostalgia, remembering when the two males in front of her were smaller, but still just as close and affectionate with one another. Recognizing that they likely needed privacy, she ushered for her husband to follow her outside onto the porch, where Echa was happily playing and entertaining herself.
Wyn leaned his weight into Seon, accepting the hug and happily burdening the God with his relief and comfort. He basked in the silence, mulling over the possibility that he was just too dense to realize his own destiny, despite working forever towards it. His own mother knew—but then again, perhaps that was due to talking to the actual Gods involved in it. If the parents they talked to were Seon's parents… his family was a lot cooler than he originally thought.
Eventually, he looped his arms around Seon's neck and closed his eyes as Seon brought their heads together. "It's okay, Seon. It's okay. I can't expect you to remember every single detail of your life. Not as a mortal, and certainly not as a God." He bumped their noses, eyes fluttering open to peer up at Seon. "I'm sorry your life changes so drastically. That sounds… unpleasant. But you're still my little Azzy, deep down, as well as my very grown up Astra. I can see it in you. I wished I could've seen it earlier, but as my mother oh so graciously pointed out, I'm clearly not the brightest or observant."
"I do not think it is unpleasant, necessarily. Just a strange sense of living. I do not have an opinion on it since I don't really think about it all that often. Sometimes I forget it happens completely." Seon pulled away with a grin on his face, yellowish and spiky teeth clashing against that warm gesture of affection. In this moment, with Azzy in mind, Wyn could begin to see his old friend deep down. Seon always smiled the same way, those sharp, uneven teeth ever prevalent in his warm smiles and sweet words.
The smile melted into a kiss that was pressed upon Wyn's forehead, brushing stray hairs out from his face. "If it makes you feel better, I was unaware of it as well. If we are as good of friends that your mother implied, I should have known you on a more personal basis. I hope to remember more about you as we spend more time together as adults." His hands kept petting Wyn's hair down, straightening it out and fixing the style of loose casualty. He ducked his head to steal one more bump of their noses, shielding Wyn physically with his larger body in a close hug. "I have said it so much already, and you will keep hearing it– I greatly appreciate and love you as my companion. You deserve much more than I could ever give you." He giggled softly, realizing he was quite the record, scratching and replaying itself. All well.
That grin. That damn grin. Now that he was comparing, he could see everything that matched. And that damn toothy, brilliant grin definitely matched. Wyn couldn't keep himself from ginning alongside him, though he did bite his lip to suppress it some when he got that kiss to his forehead. He was starting to realize just how much he liked that small form of affection. It made him all warm and fluttery inside, much to Wyn's internal embarrassment.
He hummed, arms tightening slightly to keep Seon close, and idly kissed him on the cheek in return. "We're both adults now, and different from how we were as children. We might have that history that we can try to pull from, or we can simply make more memories together from now on." Ignore the feeling, ignore the feeling, ignore the feeling. Seon playing with his hair threatened to pull his attention away from trying to sooth Seon's feelings on the missing memories. "I can confidently say that I care about you more than I ever thought possible when we re-met on that riverbank. I know I deserve as much as you can give me. Nothing more. It's you that deserves far more than I could possibly hope to offer." Wyn's grip tightened for a second. "I can only hope that I can aid you in getting most of what you deserve." He smiled, biting back his next words to keep Seon from worrying about them. And that I won't be forgotten once you get it all.
Seon let out another easy laugh, grinning at those charmingly red cheeks from his gestures.
"I will never be able to deny the enjoyment I reap from seeing you. Especially with those red cheeks." A small hint at what happened a couple days prior, where Seon had complimented Wyn's bright red face. "I am glad you are the Fae that was selected for me. You are as infinitely kind and understanding as I could ever hope for. Is there anything right now that I can do to… Perhaps solidify that I am here for you? That I am real and sincerely yours?" Seon pulled his head away but kept their bodies pressed together, noses still crossed and breath being perhaps too intimately shared.
From here the world itself seemed to have slowed down, ducked underwater as the pair looked deep into each other's eyes. Seon's, a peculiar bright gray today, smile reflecting and making the life in them sparkle. All the God could do was focus in on those bright yellow eyes, picking up every flavor of relief and happiness, eating it up hungrily to fill a window of loneliness. Now it felt as if they had truly found each other again, connected on a different level than God-and-Worshipper. They were friends– no, something more than that. Something devoted and proud and with a deep promise to each other in mind. The true idea of lovers.
Him and my freaking cheeks. Seon bringing attention to his obviously flushed cheeks only made Wyn redden even more, the color spreading delicately to his ears and over his nose. The closeness and intimacy sparking between them began creeping into his awareness, heating his skin and sending his mind into overdrive. There were so many things he wanted to do, but didn't think he was ready for. Who was he, an inexperienced loner, to think he could wrap a God into his arms and shackle into a relationship with him? A fool, that's who. But that didn't stop him from dreaming, from wanting more beneath his fears.
"I really… really hate you right now," Wyn murmured, flustered and squirming—but so damn comfortable in Seon's arms. Those bright gray eyes stared down at him. So kind and beautiful and enthralling. "Of course your presence is solidified to me. It's… Having you here, in my arms, is surreal, but I know you're real. I know I have you." He swallowed, throat bobbing with nerves, and glanced off to the side. Did he have the courage to take that final step, though? And would it be too soon, logically? Only a few days, and here he was, debating the consequences of admitting he wanted something more from the God than what was already given, what he already said he wasn't ready for. But then again, Seon had watched over Wyn for longer than these past few days. They knew him, at least on a base level, beyond their physical time together. And Wyn… he had the lingering memories and feelings from a friend long ago. Seon might've grown up into a different person, sure, but so had Wyn, and they somehow grew compatibly throughout that time apart. And we're going to become even closer from here on out, out of necessity, so really…
"I know I have you," Wyn repeated, quiet and timid, "and I'm afraid I'm not good enough to have you in the way that I want, or else I'd be taking advantage of this moment right about now." His eyes flitted back to Seon's, sincere and open about his desires. "I…" Wyn bit his lip, debating. "I'm leaving that judgement to you." Did Seon think he was good enough, or was he right to listen to his doubts?
Seon listened, not interjecting, just sincerely listening to how Wyn felt. He rested a hand around his hips, cupping the small of his back in a half-hug, and a half protective stance, the other hand securing itself on Wyn's cheek. The tips of his fingers traced the slight dip Wyn's jaw took to get to his warm ears, grinning a little.
"I think you are good enough." His voice was barely a whisper. If not for their intense attention on each other, drinking in every word the other said, one may not have been able to pick it up. Seon gave them a couple more moments of hesitation, spent keeping that intense eye-contact, as though the God was mulling over an unconscious choice.
Leaning forward to close that final gap, crossing their lips onto a pillow of comfort and gentle understanding. Returning that same energy Wyn offered Seon but more physically, in a gesture that was not able to be explained by simple words.
Their kiss was similar to their embrace. Radiated a sense of familiarity and comfort, allowing one to shut their eyes and just get lost in the feeling of it. Seon certainly did do so, tilting his head a little and shutting his eyes, his brain going blank from the buzzing thoughts ever-prevalent in his soul. It felt good. Nice. Correct in its own way, to show Wyn such an intimate side of himself.
Total shutdown.
Six simple words managed to break down every defense, every doubt, every hesitation. Six words upturned everything Wyn thought certain and sent hope crashing down on it all. Leaning into that embrace took hardly any thought, his body melting into the sweet and protective touch of his God. Really, he couldn't think at all, not after the confirmation that he was enough. Seon thought he was enough, and had given him every positive sign he could conjure.
So it came as no surprise that he happily and eagerly returned the kiss.
Yellow eyes flashed with contentment before they hid behind fluttering lids. His hands moved, both sliding down to gently cup Seon's face and solidify that yes, this was happening. Wyn was as close as possible to this amazing God, feeling the softness of their lips against his own, and losing sense of everything else around them. Perfection. He couldn't imagine wanting anything else in this moment. Pure, unrestrained happiness coursed through him, a catastrophic symphony drowning out pointless worries and idle thoughts. He lived for the feeling, and wanted to keep it for himself to have whenever he wanted. Being with Seon… he knew it would always have some note of that feeling, even long after the novelty wears off.
Seon enjoyed this kiss for a good while, not even thinking about the time that passed. Not worrying about the ever present future on their horizons, not the family outside waiting for them, just the sweet nectar-like smell of Wyn and the addicting warmth from his lips. Seon wanted to indulge himself for as long as possible, not allowing his weak body give away under his brain's desire.
He pulled away when he couldn't handle it anymore, the fine strings of saliva and their skin separating. Seon afterwards pushed his head gently into the side of Wyn's head, hugging him close and swaying with his slightly smaller body tucked close in their arms.
"You definitely are enough. At the end of the day, we only really have each other." Seon tilted his head, lids still closed against Wyn's hair and skin, inhaling slowly. "I am okay with that though. There's nothing more comforting to me than that thought." His voice hummed against Wyn's cheek, Seon mulling over his remaining thoughts delicately and as though they did not just share a passionate kiss.
Wyn never hated the need to breathe until now. It felt unfair that he should experience this first in his life, only to be interrupted by both of their bodies declaring war on their actions. But the time to separate arrived. Wyn caught his breath, tongue darting over his lips as if to preserve the taste and warmth of Seon, and it took everything in him to not burst into a bubbly smile—though he did indulge himself once his face was out of view.
"I'm glad you think so." Wyn struggled to find more words, more comforting and appropriate words fit for the occasion. But his mind still refused to think proper thoughts, so he settled for leaning into Seon and holding them close in return. The thought that he was getting philosophical, albeit slightly, amused him, and it kept his goofy smile going strong. "You'll always be stuck with me, now," he teased. "No going back." Of course he simply meant it as a joke, even if he did wish for whatever sort of relationship they had to continue for as long as possible. Seon was his own person, and if he wanted to leave, if he felt that it wasn't meant to continue, then Wyn couldn't stop him. But he refused to let himself go down that spiral, so Wyn tilted his head just enough to kiss Seon's neck. "Thank you. For being so amazing."
Seon after catching his breath littered Wyn's cheek, simply enjoying the interaction of their skin. His mind perused the ideas of ways to further connect their skin, to have those bouncy reactions, to feel the sparkles of electricity between simple gestures.
"I don't mind that," Seon assured, allowing a couple kisses to his thin neck, where his pulse was racing. Interesting to the God to observe his bodily reactions, telling him he was much more excited than he was letting on. A pounding heart, to which he could feel in his racing brain, a short of breath from each of Wyn's movements and kisses to spots Seon didn't know he liked.
"I don't think you should thank me for that. Like you said, we truly do have ourselves. You're stuck with me too." He chuckled and pulled Wyn's face closer for another brief peck to the lips. "We will have many moons together yet. Would you like to set off our adventure? It is a symbolic start stepping out together to tell your family that you are going to pursue this with me. To say your good-bye. Is there anything I can do right now? To make this journey in your mind's eye less treacherous?" Seon pulled away completely again, meeting their eyes, but instead of happiness, there was concern and worry present. His grip on Wyn's back tightened a little. Seon after thinking about their journey… might have grown to be a little more protective over his Fae follower.
Perhaps the best thing about their height difference, with Wyn just barely grazing the threshold of eye-level to Seon, was that he had the perfect angle for neck kisses. So he took advantage of that in no time, especially when he took notice of the upped heartbeat he felt against his lips. "Mm, still. It's hard to find people that are as kind and overall amazing as you." The kiss, however brief, caught him off guard; Wyn blinked, took a moment to process it, then rubbed at his rosy face to hide his smile. But…
"Shit, I need to tell Mír." His eyes darted up towards the stairs, torn between wanting to tell his parents himself but knowing he needed to tell her, the one person in this house that didn't have a clue of what was going on. Unconsciously, he leaned forward into Seon's body, responding to the tightened grip on his back. "However much I would love talking to my parents with you…" His gaze darted back to Seon's, soft and apologetic. "I need to tell her. Do you think you'll be okay with them without me? If not, they can hold off until I talk to her." Wyn didn't want to abandon Seon to his parents, who he had been apprehensive about meeting not long before.
Seon glanced over his shoulder at the door where Venera and Simone disappeared. "I will go talk with them. Just so they know it's safe for them to come back inside." Seon released Wyn completely, removing all but the hand resting on his face, and stealing one more peck. Definitely not the last one on Seon's standards, but it was enough to last the few minutes they would be apart. Gentle fingers made streaks of warmth across Wyn's cheek as he finally drew it away, moving towards the front door instead, inviting himself outside onto the porch with the other Fae. The pair of adults lounging and observing their young daughter playing with sticks and other blooms that had the misfortune of dropping away from their parent thickets, into the hands of a bored, bouncy child.
The God ducked under the threshold of the door, leaving open the door to allow the night to slink in and air out the sleepy energy. Seon smiled a little as he settled onto the ground with Echa, grey eyes observing the way she treated the plant life.
Wyn, regrettably, made a strangled noise within his throat as Seon kissed him one last time before pulling away. He hoped it was muted enough that Seon didn't notice, then hurried upstairs after one last linger look in his God's direction.
Venera reclined in her rocker, watching her daughter play in the dirt and among the plants that Wyn tirelessly cared for. Though she was clearly bored as she played with the fallen sticks and flowers, she refused to pluck up anything attached to their stems and home sprouts. Instead, he got to work building a makeshift house with sticks and twine, decorating it with randomly placed flower petals.
"He taught her well," Venera chimed, smiling at Seon. "Arenwyn. He made sure she knew to respect the land, to only take what was given, and not to waste the gifts." She leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees, beckoning for the God to join her in the empty chair next to her. Simone was on her other side swirling a glass of mead in a clear glass, sipping it at a leisurely pace. "I know my son is preparing to leave," she continued, "It's about time, really. The poor boy has spent far too much time either cooped up in this place or off chasing myths."
Wyn crept through his house to the guest bedroom, which housed the second member of the household. Míría popped her head up as he slipped into her room, hair tousled but otherwise tame for the lazy day she set herself up for. Though she peered at him curiously, she nodded at the foot of her bed in invitation for him to sit. Wyn eased himself onto the mattress, hesitation clear in the rigidness of his body. She didn't need to hear his feelings to know to scoot forward and wrap him into a hug.
It was then that he launched into the full story.
Seon nodded as he watched the child carefully stack sticks and stroke the petals of the flowers, amazed by her gentleness. It was a stark contrast to the child who had woken him up a few minutes prior. As Wyn's name was spoken, Seon rose his eyes to meet Venera's steady, hypnotizing gaze, managing a smile at the beautiful, recognizable woman. He rose to take the open seat next to her, tucking his legs into his body, cuddling into himself to get comfy.
"Yeah, I imagine you would be sad to see the back of him. I assure you I will return your son intact and safe. I would sacrifice anything for the safety of my Fae." It was safe to say that Seon agreed wholeheartedly that Wyn was his partner for a good portion of their lives. A partner that would help him climb to the top and find those who couldn't be found. "I am glad to have his help. Your son is truly better than anything I could ask for." Seon glanced at Venera with a small, nervous grin.
The elder Fae woman grinned, already enthralled by Seon's devotion to Arenwyn. "Indeed, it is quite upsetting. I know we will be without his brooding for quite some time, and Echa will be without her playmate, but…" She drummed her nails along her knee, thinking. Simone cleared his throat and stared at his wife, the pointed gaze meaningful but only decipherable by Venera. "Ah, of course." She fluttered around for a moment, searching for something, then pulled out a parchment of paper and handed it to Seon. Scrawled across it was a messy and scratchy map, place names illegible and drawings barely more than scribbles—she had done her best while rushing to get it down.
"Head to the mountains, the path beginning at the River of Hinae, where Arenwyn's destiny wove with yours." She tipped her head, lime eyes otherworldly in a way as they stared at Seon and surveyed him. "You know of the place I speak of, yes?" She didn't explain how she knew where to look, or how she knew what God—or rather, Goddess—waited within those mountains. "If not," Venera gestured to the parchment, "Aren should be able to direct you using that."
Looking down upon the map, Seon shifted it this way and that to try and decipher anything legible. Deciding he was at a loss, he looked up once more for help.
"I will ask him for help. Thank you." He sighed slowly, re-folding the map neatly in squares, focusing on flattening out the creases. "Goddess you say. In the mountains? Have you been up there? There are few Fae who have survived the trek. I am afraid for Wyn." Rumor had it that only Gods and their selected subjects were allowed up the mountain. The pure force of such a secret civilization and their magical protection protected them from outsiders. The thick, dense trees called for a challenging maze for those who could manage the altitude, and then… there were no other recounts of what happened next. Travelers who didn't dare go all the way, looking for scraps of evidence of those lost Fae. They always found their things, journals abandoned, and even a few pieces of clothes left behind. These thoughts sent a fearful shiver down his spine– not for himself, but for Wyn, who was a weaker mortal at the end of the day. The grip of the angry, heaving forest was a challenge not fit for anyone.
"Once." Venera leaned back in her chair and glanced at her husband, who only let a trickle of worry into his features. She shook her head and focused on Seon. "I have made the journey once. Let me tell you this, to ease your worries." Her hand reached over and rested on the God's knee, patting him once. "Trust me, darling. Aren is fully capable of handling himself, and is even more protected by having you at his side. I would not be trusting him to go on this journey if I wasn't confident he will be okay." Family secrets she intended to keep for now lined the silver of her surety. Wyn knew of their heritage, knew of the stories passed down the generations. If he felt he trusted Seon enough to tell his companion, then she would allow him the chance to do so on his own.
She squeezed Seon's knee and smiled, lips crooked and resembling that of her son's own crooked smiles. "I understand the rumors, and your worries. He will be okay." Her smile widened. "You care a lot about him. I appreciate that. It's good to know he'll have your protection over him."
Seon's hands curled up into themselves, holding that piece of paper like it was his lifeline, inhaling shakily. As he thought of those rumors, the rumors of the crashing weight of magic, squeezing on the heart, squishing the brain, popping limbs and… Seon didn't truly think he had a fear of suffocation and pain until right now. The trek up that mountain would be his personal punishment, the immediate, horrible, final blow of embarrassment. The first step, but it could very well be the last. Suddenly, Seon could not breathe. His lungs lost their will to inhale, the heart that was previously gripped by joy and euphoria now skipping uncomfortably against his ribs, pushing on itself as he paralyzed himself with horror.
It was nice to know that Wyn would be okay, but down to the core of his very being, Seon did not want to go up that mountain. He was grasping at straws to continue being worried, to allow his fear, irrational and angry at himself because of it. He gripped his clothes, the soft silk, and the paper, in a vain attempt to hide his fear.
Venera blinked, realizing Seon spiraling down into a panic. She opened her mouth to say something, to try and calm the God, but something behind him stopped her from saying anything. Instead, she withdrew from Seon and let the events unfold.
Delicate hands slipped over the God's face, heels of palms tracing the lines of his jaw before plummeting. Tips of fingers danced down Seon's neck and circled to their collarbones, then crossed one another until a body was leaning into their back, and arms were encircling Seon in a backwards hug. Wyn rested his chin on Seon's shoulder, nosing his way into the crook of his neck. "You're okay, love. It's okay," he whispered. He had no idea what happened or what Seon was panicking over, but he knew the moment he walked outside that something was wrong. Seon was hurting, and Wyn wanted to help in any way he could. "I'm here." He burrowed closer, holding Seon close. "I'm here."
Soft hands came to his rescue, reminding him that his face was intact. Palms traced wet cheeks, and a slow hug. Embraced by a sweet familiarity of flowers, earthly scents and thick curly hair. Whispered words brought back the unconscious knowledge of breathing, that respite of oxygen fueling his lungs and straightening out his brain with cold air and calming hormones coming from those affectionate whispers and hugs. Seon turned his head into Wyn's arms and head, pushing into his neck and shoulders, creating a triangle of safety. His warm breath and shivery tears mixed with a cold sweat puddled up on Wyn's neck. It was okay at some point. Wyn was here, and there was no reason to panic right now. They had an adventure together ahead, despite that deathly clutch of panic settling in Seon's heart. Wym would be there to make it a little more bearable.
Wyn hugged Seon to his chest and into his neck, refusing to let go of the God until he knew for sure that he was okay. But for now, he held on tight and murmured repeated reassurances and comforts. Every now and again, he'd press a soft and lingering kiss to Seon's shoulder or neck, always right after a promise that he was okay and safe. His parents watched from the side, exchanging knowing glances. He knew what they were thinking. It was more clear now that the two of them were more than just friends and travel companions. They'd recognize his instinct to act on Seon's distress, despite not having the slightest idea of what happened to cause it. His father often rushed to his mother's side whenever the littlest thing upset her. That's what he had done right here, and his constant smothering only solidified the more intimate turn their relationship had taken. Not that it had been much of a secret before, with them practically cuddling earlier.
Without moving their head, Seon wordlessly lifted the map Vernera made for them, entwining their fingers and curling Wyn's fingers around the parchment map. He had calmed down considerably in the few moments Wyn stood there with him, but Seon still found it right to close his eyes in the warmth of Wyn's neck, hiding from an embarrassing conversation with Wyn's parents. He'd be emerging from his solace tear-streaked, still slightly shaken, and with the conveyed secret of their ever blooming relationship with Wyn. Seon couldn't decide what was more embarrassing about that in this headspace, so instead worried about calming down first, still gripping Wyn's fingers against his slower beating heart.
He knew as well this wouldn't be the last time Wyn would witness such an attack. Nightmares would continue to plague his sleep outside of this novel sleeping place, reminders of that cold empty feeling sending a shiver down his spine. For now, the only acceptable thing to do was really to suck it up.
Pulling his face away delicately, wiping his eyes with delicate fingers and making sure to rub the wet spot off with his sleeve, he inhaled and exhaled deeply, shaking his head as if telling himself to get a grip.
Wyn took the map, but didn't abandon his original quest. Instead, he split his attention between the two. Flipping open the map while keeping his face pressed against Seon, as well as keeping it mostly out of view of the God, he darted his gaze around the scribbles and horrific handwriting. His mother may have her beauty and radiant authority, but she sure lacked penmanship. Wyn recognized what she was trying to point them towards, thankfully, so he folded the parchment and tucked it away in the waistband of his pants, then went back to completely holding Seon.
He didn't move away just yet, even when Seon seemed to be feeling a little better—at least, better enough to sit up and start wiping away the tears. Wyn wanted to make sure he was okay. Them putting on a facade wouldn't rid them of his comfort. Not until he was convinced. Venera caught his eye and tilted her head, asking a silent question. He stared back, confused, then nodded when she gestured to the two of them. Not entirely the truth, because he wasn't completely sure if they were together or simply people who have kissed a total of three times within a few minutes. In any case, he and Seon would be leaving soon, so he didn't see it all that prudent to discuss his relationship with them to his parents. If they tried to subject him to the safe sex conversation, he'd declare they needed to leave for the journey ahead—he really hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Seon sighed, grabbing Wyn's hands for his own when he recovered, half-closing his eyes as he faced outwards, the cold night air refreshing after his humid moment with Wyn's neck. It was silent, strained around the upset (still somewhat panicked) God, and he leaned his weight back against Wyn, letting it truly be held. It was exhausting even trying to consider opening his eyes to a world of complicated philosophies, muddled emotions, and conversations bound to trip one up in his sense of belief. Had he been able to save the Gods from the comfort of this chair, from the safety of Wyn's embrace, Seon would do it in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, that was the hard part of adventuring, wasn't it?
"I think we should get going. Thank you for the map," Seon rumbled slowly, getting his wits about him and rising from the chair. He moved so that he didn't knock Wyn off, and instead firmly took his hands once they fell from his shoulders and chest. "It is best if we leave before the sun rises. If we are not somewhat on the banks of the river by moonfall, we will not make it back here in such a timely fashion."
