They say we are what we are, but we don't have to be

Kevlyn was torn between feeling patronized and feeling empowered. Nobody ever spoke to him like that at the Sound, so he struggled to understand the difference between being talked to like a kid (big strong man) and being talked to like an individual who knew his abilities (crossing the water by himself). He stood there for a moment, staring across at the female and warring in his mind about whether she was being a bitch or not, but then she offered some advice and he forgot to be offended anymore in favour of a topic he was very knowledgeable about.

"I know lots about the water, thanks," he mumbled, loud enough to be heard but gravelly. "It may be faster in shallow water, but my legs are more steady in shallow water." He likened it to the ocean. The waves sucked in and out faster in the shallows, but Kevlyn knew it was the deeper water that could drag him out to sea. He could square his stance in shallow water much more easily.

As though to make a point, the boy chose a relatively shallow area and forded the river easily. Strength in the water was a necessity for any wolf of Ankyra Sound, and a river was no different. Once on the other side, he shook vigorously, then said, "no, not going anywhere." In other words, he was just scouting.