Silvertip Mountain don't forget from whence you came

It didn't take very long, which meant she had kept close; he felt his heart skip a beat with delight as she approached, smiling. She remained silent, waiting for him to speak. The night air around them felt sacred, and he was loath to break it--but it was time. An invitation must be made.

"Thank you for coming," Phocion said warmly, smiling himself. Then, without preamble: "Do you want to stay with us, on Silvertip Mountain? I've plans to make my home here, and begin my work in earnest. I would enjoy your company, and would be happy to have you by my side."

So as not to leave the boy feeling excluded, he touched the tip of his tail to Cortland's flank, looking over at him softly. "This is Cortland, the friend I told you about," he said, glancing back to Poet. "He's walking better, but if you could still take a look at his paw. . .?" He silenced himself at that, knowing that the first question he'd offered was loaded enough already, and now he'd made a second request.