Phoenix Maplewood small talk is very small indeed

The painful poking of the stick made him want to take his paw and shove that stick down her throat, but kept still; good things to those who wait, and all that jazz. It wasn't until after she spoke that his bright eyes popped open and he jumped up, scrambling backwards so fast that a flurry of leaves and dirt were kicked up. He stared at her, trembling, for a couple seconds before finally speaking.

"I was dead."

The words came out as a whisper. Jax took a tentative step towards the great brown she-wolf. "I was dead, and you saved me." His eyes fell to the stick, and he let out a weary laugh. "The great Staff of Rejuvenation...it's here. It saved me. It's yours." With a cry, he fell to his stomach and crawled toward her, desperately trying to kiss her paws. "I am yours forever, my liege. Tell me what you will have of me, and it will be done."