Lion Head Mesa Open up the door

Forward dated a day or two after he joins Akashingo

Before the break of dawn each morn, the beast awoke and departed the quarters he'd been provided.
A narrow trail led from the mesa down along the border closing in the royals and subjects of Akashingo. Khaba followed this path closely, rarely straying even a decent distance. Part of him willed not to run into any of the mentioned individuals, for these interactions were often sullen and bland. Of course, he couldn't help his inability to verbalize with others. Nonetheless, it made life a struggle.
Alas, Khaba could sense that pursuing such avoidance wouldn't get him very far with his new life. Was he right?