Page 20 of A Winter Admire
“Me too.” They stared at each other for several moments before continuing.
The valley looked similar to the forest around Ores, which was no surprise considering it was only a couple of miles away. Truth was, Edwin usually avoided the valley in his walks, uncertain if the oreads would appreciate him intruding on their space.
“Human younglings don’t play here anymore.” There was a note of sadness in Sinoe’s voice. “Probably not in the last ten years or so.”
“And the oread children don’t play in the village either. Odara—she is an elder in the village—laments that we grow further and further apart.”
“I know Odara. She visits the valley sometimes.”
“Oh. I didn’t realise.”
“She came by recently. She encouraged everyone to come to the Solstice festivities.”
“And will you?”
Sinoe tilted his head. “I hadn’t given it much thought. I haven’t been since I was a youngling.”
“You should. You could drink mulled wine or hot chocolate. There’ll be roasted chestnuts and Solstice cakes. It’s always such a fun day.”
“Will I get to meet Snowflake?”
“What?”
“Your rabbit? If I come, will you introduce us?”
Introducing them would mean bringing Sinoe into his home, showing him the space where he lived. No one had been in his home, other than Snowflake, in months. “Yes.” It was the only word he could manage.
“Then I’ll come. It’s the day after tomorrow, correct?”
“Yes.” They would celebrate the Solstice together. He and Sinoe. He wouldn’t be alone.
Sinoe continued walking, and Edwin realised that at some point, they’d stopped. He spotted several oreads moving through the trees in the valley. A few wore pants, whilst others were as naked as the trees were bare. Several glanced his and Sinoe’s way but otherwise didn’t acknowledge their presence. Small spires of smoke arose further into the valley.
“Do you use fire?” Edwin asked.
“Sometimes.”
“Sorry. I just thought it was a human thing.”
“It is. But you taught us to use it for smoking fish and meat.”
“Oh yes. I read about that. Wrin, one of the humans, showed Sirian and the other oreads how to use it.”
“That’s right,” Sinoe said. “Before, we always dried the food. We still do, but sometimes we like the smoky taste. And some of us just like the feeling of warmth and cosiness it gives.” He gave a light laugh. “And you’ll find other remnants from your people’s time here in the valley. Some caves have shelves and other furniture.”
They kept walking, and Edwin noted the plants they passed. “Oh, look.” Edwin pointed at a ball of greenery up amongst the bare branches of a tree. “Mistletoe. Did you know that it’s a parasitic plant? It attaches to a host plant, drawing nutrients and water from it. That’s why it stays green throughout the winter; it uses the host’s nutrients to thrive.
“It can harm the host tree, causing a stunt in growth or loss of limb. It could even kill the host if there is a heavy infestation of mistletoe.” Edwin stepped closer; the tree only had a couple of mistletoe plants. Not enough to seriously harm it. “Birds will sometimes nest in them.” Although, he could spot no nests today. “And did you know—” Edwin glanced at Sinoe, who watched him, a slight smile gracing his lips.
“Sorry. I tend to prattle on and bore people with my talk of plants.” Edwin ducked his head.
“No.” Sinoe shook his head. “I like hearing you talk about them,” he said, voice firm. “Please, what else were you about to say about the mistletoe?”
“The berries are sticky and can attach to birds to spread to other trees when they fly. Or they eat them and they are spread through their dung.”
“But although the birds can eat them, they are toxic to oreads and humans.”
“Yes. Of course, you already know all about them. Of course you do.” He let out a breath, staring at Sinoe’s necklace, unable to meet Sinoe’s eyes. “Sorry, I should have known rather than going on and on.”
