Broken Antler Fen cherimoya

She hadn't realized her own hunger until Teya offered her the fish—but as soon as it came nearer, and the smell wafted up her nostrils, she felt (and heard) her stomach growl. Are you sure? Lilitu asked, feeling shy. Thanks!

While she dug in, the woman began to explain her past whereabouts more closely. A couple words in particular caught her interest, and her head came up in surprise mid-chew, nearly choking on the brittle bone she'd been working on. Reneian Empire? she burst out, coughing explosively. Eyes streaming, she cleared her throat, swallowed better, then looked at Teya again.

That's where we came from! I. . .think, she added, mouth pursing, suddenly unsure. It definitely sounded like the place that had been described to her as a child, one that came up occasionally in conversations. To clarify, she continued: In a valley, in the mountains?

If so, why hadn't she ever run into Teya before? It wasn't as if Lilitu had made herself scarce. Her loud mouth and restless paws had made her no stranger in the vale.