Otter Creek maw

It seemed as though she liked the sound of his home. Paleo was lovely, after all. Emmerich had never thought of anywhere else as home. Their hollow in the mountain had been made into a place of security, a place to learn, to protect. He could not think of a reason why anyone would need anything more.

Unable to remain on the subject for long, she offered a compliment to his physique. She’d said that he looked strong. Emmerich wasn’t used to this kind of talk from girls. The only girl he had known had been his sister and she had a smart mouth on her. Toula was swift with sweetness and disarming with the rush of her words. The young guardian had never met someone quite like her.

The Gods? he echoed uncertainly when she had mentioned them.

I vould not mind a friend.

Emmerich didn’t have many. He considered the wolves of Paleo to be more like family. Siku was growing into more of a brother. The white-hooded boy wondered if it was good to have friends from faraway places.

I haven’t heard of the place you vill visit. Basilica…