Bearclaw Valley watchmen of flocks

Oh.  He'd apparently misjudged and instead offended this new boy.  Ashlar froze and felt hot shame lick up within him as Karst visibly bristled.  He should have known better than to assume.  Karst had been working fine at what he did, and Ashlar had only interrupted him.

He dropped his gaze at the same time as his belly flattened to the earth, apology written on every angle of his submission.  It did not matter that Karst was younger, or that Ashlar had been here longer.  All the timid adolescent saw was an offense that he had not meant to give.

All was not lost - he was given a chance!  Ashlar brightened with a grateful smile, not only for the task, but that it was something he knew how to do.  He'd found plants for baba often!  His tail waved.  Yes!  The first was too enthusiastic, and he tempered it quickly.  I c.. I can do that.

If there was nothing else, Ashlar would leave now and find what he could, bringing anything useful back with the close of the day.  He'd come in meekly, of course, and await invitation, as he would not want to risk interrupting a second time.