Two Rivers Isle jinro

Ulrich heard the accent in her words now, which explained her stilted sentences. So the Isle had one mute, and one whose first language was something other than his. He hoped he would not completely fail at communicating with these two. Like Makan, this young woman seemed so eager to please, as if desperate for a home here. As if she had nowhere else to go. It was winter and that meant prey was scarce and the temperatures were dangerously low, especially at night. He worried about finding enough prey to feed them all now, but if they could just make it til spring, it would be easier. They could build up better caches, preferably next fall.

What is your name? he asked the girl, gently. I welcome you to Two Rivers Isle, but I don't know your name yet.