You force yourself through one more clump of bushes and fall flat on your face as you find yourself in a small, neat clearing. A strange looking creature is sitting quietly, watching the babbling stream intently. She sees you and looks up sharply, as you pick yourself up.
"Hello," she says in a quiet voice. "I am Sariin, a senoch of the Dü clan. Somebody-or-Other was kind enough to let me make my home here." Her face briefly twists into a look of annoyance. "I do wish she'd get a proper name. I'd be willing to give her one, even. She could come up with a wonderful one if she gave it half a try, but no...." She wrinkles her nose. "She clings to her anonymity like a leech. Names have power, and she isn't willing to risk letting hers fall into the wrong hands, even though the chances against that are one in a million." She sighs. "Ah, well. Maybe one of these days she'll give in." She gets up and stretches. "There isn't much to see here, except your bruises," she glances at your badly abused arms and legs, "so I guess you should be leaving now. Farewell, and stay on the path this time!" She jerks her head at a small trail you had missed, heading back to the nursery, and smiles briefly as you chuckle ruefully.
As you head back, you see her thoughtfully watching a fish swim in graceful circles. She senses your gaze, and nods again: a dismissal. You find your way back to the exit. Above the door there is a sign you had missed before:
You can only go back to the Nursery.
