Felltree Marsh alone and only a sojourner in the land, without friends or the need of them

the stranger seemed to like the idea that he lived near the ocean, but she didn't fully explain why that was. he had a feeling because she wanted to wash out the wound with the salty water. no thanks – he knew that was going to sting like a bee, and he'd rather have dealt with the throbbing pain and occasional reopening of the injury.

more than this, she wanted him to chew on wood like he was a beaver. seemed fake, but okay. he really didn't have the means or intellect to tell her that she was blowing hot air up his ass. there was an expression of distrust on his dark face, but he shrugged his shoulders after a moment and pointed toward where they would be trekking. “come on, then. gotta make sure you aren't lying to me, so you're tagging along,” he instructed and set off at a slow, gimping pace.