Firestone Hot Springs closer to nowhere

Grayday, too, felt the keen sense of kinship for a fellow northerner. Not many understood what it was like to come from a land of ice and snow. Perhaps it had meant something different for Grayday, who had grown up with a strong sense of family more than anything else, but still. Perhaps they even shared blood.

"Since I was a boy," he agreed, a tiny smile quirking his mouth. The woman seemed a little stumped, though perhaps that was just Grayday's sleep-muddled mind making something out of nothing. Still, he knew he hadn't mistaken the sorrow in his voice when she spoke of her status as a loner.

"Come home with me, then," said Grayday, tail waving. "We could use the help. Perhaps another northerner will get us through the winter."