The Heartwood They say Alexander the Great slept with 'The Iliad' beneath his pillow.

Mesa's sharp expression caused Osiris to delay his approach, suddenly uncertain whether or not he should approach the stranger. Testing his luck, Osiris decided to slink forward a step to gauge Mesa's reaction. Once he stilled again, Osiris woofed in reply with a wag of his tail for good measure. 

I want to help—his expression and body-language said.