Redhawk Caldera Most people think I burn hot, it's actually quite the opposite.

Elwood nodded as Towhee asked for clarity. He found himself wishing that Finley or Raven were around, to help translate into sign language. It wasn't that he didn't believe she could understand him by reading his lips, but he worried that he would be talking too much. He knew, however, that she was capable of asking him to slow down or repeat himself if necessary.

"Your body language with Gannet and Ashton. Even though you didn't know them, they were both up front about knowing your parents as well as me and Finley. They were not here to cause any harm," he said. "So while, as a mercenary --" here he smiled, addressing Towhee by her newly-earned title -- "your job is to guard the borders, it would be okay to be polite to them."

He paused, then added, "Although I can see why you would be suspicious of them, since you had never met them. But in that situation, you can always call for me or Aunt Fin."