Redtail Rise gopher guts

The quiet one. Ashlar called him that too, silently, and the echo of it from Tulimaq surprised him. They had nothing in common except maybe those words.

It sounds off. He said quietly, uncertain, but trying (and thankfully succeeding) at keeping his voice steady. He'd found that if he slowed down, the shaking did not take him.

He was so curious, and he wasn't being dismissed outright. This was maybe his first chance alone to ask. Were you a leader? Before? It could only be him that the woman knew as lead hunter. He commanded an easy confidence that was both intimidating and enviable - it made sense, if he was. But why follow now, then?