whisper of leaves clearly off to

[keannu]

What is this "off"? leave or separate? I don't get it.

ex)The sound was coming closer; he could hear the whisper of leaves clearly off to his left. On the ground before him was a stick....

 

[5jj]

off = away

 

[keannu]

off = away

Then, the whisper of leaves was going away from his left side or coming to his left side? I think the former.

 

[5jj]

It was located off/away to one side i.e, not on the direct path. The word 'off' in itself does not imply movement.