Phantom Hollow and he rose up, passed over the river

The boy was concentrating on the mark, his head bowed, so he did not see the woman as she approached through the dark. He heard movement though, and his ears pivoted, then his head turned in time to catch her earth-toned features in his golden eyes. She was a creature of the forest, he thought. But when she spoke she seemed like something else — and the scent of saline was prevalent too, stronger than any pine scent that the trees might've shared.

For a moment Gilead wasn't sure what to make of her; typically he could judge a person by the shade of their fur, their scent, or their gender. She was inferior in some aspects but also not native to these woods, same as him. And her voice was friendly enough. If this was a demon, it was doing a good job at passing for a mortal.

I am well, he responds in his usual manner, gruff and lethargic. He turns from the mark in the soil and advances towards her. If she is a demon he is unafraid — Gilead is physically strong and he has the Lord on his side to protect him spiritually. You are a long way from home, he estimates aloud, do you feel the power of the woods as well?