A Quiet Strength - Trial and Tribulation
by Anon Allsop
-Part Three-
-One-
There was a hint of curl to the leaves that they passed, once vibrant greens were withered slightly from the touch of frost. The air was crisp and cool as the trio made their way down the side of the mountain, Aponi, Etu and Machk heading into the unknown, wary and yet hopeful.
Etu glanced quickly toward Aponi as they walked, behind her Machk slumbered in the papoose. "Are you fearful?" He asked.
She forced a smile, "Yes, and no." Glancing back toward him, she squinted at the bright sun that was filtering through the first few trees that they came to. "I am only afraid of how Machk will be treated."
"I told you..." He began.
She interrupted him, "You did..I'm sorry, it is just hard for me to trust right now."