Blacktail Deer Plateau Don't let the sun outshine you

The moment she turned, the young soldier knew her eyes were upon him and he wanted keenly to turn his gaze and look at them. Those eyes... what would they be like? Large, no doubt, with a doe's lashes but an otherworldly wisdom. Perhaps as blue as the sky, if her heart was innocent, or as green as the rushes if the forest was her home. Ah, so many possibilities, and such a drive to look into those eyes. But he couldn't. He was staring down the garter snake, daring it to turn and look upon him.

It was, of course, far less vicious than other snakes that might slither hither, but Goldhawk knew from experience that it was more venomous than common assumption, especially to a girl of her petite size. And, worse than that, its bite could leave a nasty scar. He hated to be so preoccupied with beauty when he prized personality so highly, but there was something buzzy about this time of year, and he couldn't stand the idea of this stranger's beautiful coat being irreparably damaged.

Oh don't you worry, my amiable forest maiden, he reassured her. Yon lubricious serpent has a bonafide Elite soldier on its hands. He prowled closer to it, well, not hands, but... he prattled vaguely. Then he let out a deep growl at the snake to get its attention pointedly off the girl, and it immediately turned and made a move at him. Swift as a lashing branch, Goldhawk dodged to the side.