The winds had picked up in his travel and caught upon the clouds above, which had been gathering for the past few days. They frothed and foamed, darkening by midday. A grey sky cast pale light across the forest below, adding to the gloom and grime. Luthais had followed the river in hopes of grabbing a fish from it's depths, but found that the water was aggravated. Without proper confidence in his fishing skills, the man had regretfully passed on by - and now, situated in an eerie forest that threatened a downpour, he felt that regret deeply. All at once the sky opened up as if torn at the belly, and began to soak the vagrant. There was no way to avoid getting wet; but he began to listlessly travel through the forest, seeking shelter amongst the groves.

There was no shelter to be had. Either it was the strong rain or the finger-like branches that refused to block it; but whatever the case, Luthais was suitably drenched by the time he found a proper shelter. It proved just as pointless, for the wind pulsed and buffered him with heavy droplets regardless of his location. The boy scoffed at the sky, his nose pointedly easing out from beneath the tree's great shadows. It would be worthwhile to call upon his gods for help, but he did not wish to ask too much of them - they were not in place to serve him, after all. The thought of ritual sparked movement from Luthais. He roused himself from his damp waiting and headed through the forest, eager to find something of worth that could be used in an altar.

There was no time for meditation. He rooted through the roots of trees, followed natural pathways, and gathered what he could find. Much of which was just as soggy as himself - proving to be a hassle that made him quite irate. The native flowers that grew within the mud would have to do - he had no agrimony, no juniper berries available. They were pitiful things, plucked clean from the wet earth and hanging limply against his lower lips, which became tar-streaked with grime. The rain did not let up as Luthais scavenged for these morsels, and it would not ease until he had begun to ritual in earnest.