Otter's dream

A fragment from scenes where Willow and Hart are laid to rest -- which is done by pulling saplings around their wrapped, standing bodies, and tying the trees into position. Remember that Willow was Otter's mother, and, oh heck, just read the first bits.

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In the old binds, the bark was lipping over the faded blue cords, creeping like moss over the tarnished mirrors.

Later, Otter dreamt of her mother's wrists, bound and swollen around the soaked rope.

Later, she dreamt the lips of the bark were her own lips, grown slow and stiff. Her mouth was blocked with silver. She woke tasting tarnish.

She woke terrified and bitter.