Lost Creek Hollow there is black coal filling up our homes

you are correct! :D

The rush of cold water that greeted him did not immediately deter him from slaking his thirst. It was refreshing, really, and the venture was already proving to have been worth it just for something a little different. Of course every day was a new trial as he adjusted to a different sort of life. Though thankful that he still had a life to live, Mordecai could not help but feel the sensation of burden resting on his shoulders, and his thirst quenched itself as the bitterness in not being able to fully contribute met his wandering thoughts.

But he was not able to dwell on them for long, and truthfully, he had done enough of that in recent days to once again last a lifetime. A chuff broke the tuned-out din of the world around him; his ears swiveled back to hear the soft approach of another. For a moment, he almost turned to the right to survey the other, but thought better of it as he swung left to draw her into the side in which he had sight. And it was certainly a turn to pull her into it, slow but decisive as he drew himself into statures befitting of the rank he held. He found that he didn't recognize her, but was aware that Harlyn had found another recruit to bolster their hold on the territory. They needed it as far as he was concerned, they needed more.

Where words should have been there were none, only the cant of his head as she drew closer.

He imagined words would come soon enough, at least one way or the other.