Not to say that the meadow was empty- besides the man and the boy, there were others, by and by, appearing as simply as if they'd winked into being. Some of them laughed and others drew off to the protective shade of the forest edge. Some just sort of stood there, looking confused.

It was good people watching if absolutely nothing else.

Besides.

There was definitely something /else/ in the clearing and it read a negative pressure on Vaelen's nerves. Left him attentive. But of what? It was great and formless, seeming to swirl out of time with the air.

Perhaps a little bit likened to being watched by an owl.

Except for the part where it was daylight.

Nervermind the sense of laughter underneath.