Chapter 1 - Part 2
Reine told Rosie about her journey to the land of the River Folk, south of Eddleton near the Stagling Forest. Rosie knew that the River Folk lived in five tribes, one for each of the major rivers in Nadoto. This tribe called themselves the Ick'clish, and Reine had gone to perform their annual birthling ceremony. She was very fond of the Ick'clish, and was honoured to take part in their festivals.
Rosie longed to meet the River Folk, those strange playful swimmers. Reine had promised to take her along one day, but there was much that prevented such a journey. "How is your grandfather?" the wizard asked.
"He's getting along well enough. It's very hard taking care of him and working a job at the same time. But I can't complain; he did take me in after my parents died."
"He still hasn't gotten over the loss of his son, has he?"
Rosie sank into herself. "No," she sighed after a long pause. "He hasn't, and I no longer believe that he ever will."
Reine put her hand gently on her friend's shoulder. "They say that time heals all wounds. But I'd be lying if I said they knew what they were talking about."
The door slammed shut then, heralding the arrival of Rosie's grandfather. "I think he's home. I should go tend to him," she said as she got up and moved towards the front of the house.
Rosie longed to meet the River Folk, those strange playful swimmers. Reine had promised to take her along one day, but there was much that prevented such a journey. "How is your grandfather?" the wizard asked.
"He's getting along well enough. It's very hard taking care of him and working a job at the same time. But I can't complain; he did take me in after my parents died."
"He still hasn't gotten over the loss of his son, has he?"
Rosie sank into herself. "No," she sighed after a long pause. "He hasn't, and I no longer believe that he ever will."
Reine put her hand gently on her friend's shoulder. "They say that time heals all wounds. But I'd be lying if I said they knew what they were talking about."
The door slammed shut then, heralding the arrival of Rosie's grandfather. "I think he's home. I should go tend to him," she said as she got up and moved towards the front of the house.