Silvertip Mountain don't forget from whence you came

"Thank you," he said to her as she did her work, watching her intently. She was gentle with the boy, but not shy in the least: she knew what she was doing. Whatever her beliefs were, she was invaluable as a healer, and he thanked the stars she was on his team. Finally, they could rest and get that paw healed.

He nodded, smiling. "Of course. I have much to learn, about plants." His tone was wry but not unkind. He was too happy in this moment to be overly sarcastic. Any joke he might have cracked would crumble under the weight of sincerity. "We should rest here for the night and tomorrow, and then we can head up the next evening," he said, addressing them both.

They must be tired. Phocion knew he was. The frantic search for Cortland had drained him more than he had realized, and the weight of all his travel finally pressed upon him now. His eyelids fluttered without his volition, and he stifled a yawn.