Standing before Ashlynn, Amahle swept her crimson eyes across the entire island, taking in every detail and ensuring that there was nothing present that could interrupt their ritual. Now would be the worst time for a disturbance, but when she looked, her eyes found that the Ancient Willow hadn't taken even the smallest of mice as residents of its island.
The willow stood alone, perhaps because it had been hurt so badly in the past. Even a tree as placid as the willow could grow unwelcoming if it was abused. Whatever the reason, it meant that there was nothing present that cold disrupt her ritual once she began.
"Cross your hands in front of your body and touch your hips," she said. "This is the gentlest way I know to bind you for a long period of time," she explained as her spider-like limbs moved rapidly around Ashlynn securing her arms and legs in place, affixing her to the trunk of the Ancient Willow tree.
