Otter Creek maw

The girl was swift to rattle off names. They sounded nothing like the names he had heard in Paleo. They did not even sound like the names of the visitors he had met on their borders. When she spoke them, he could see that she used reverence in her words. They were everything to her.

Emmerich was made uncomfortable by this realization. He’d never known this kind of devotion in his young life. The boys hawkish eyes were sharp on her. She asked if he knew Them as though he should know at least three of the names she’d offered. The young guardian felt that he might have made a mistake to freely speak with this girl. His mind ventured back to Paleo and to his family. He wished to be patrolling the borders.

No, he confirmed that he did not know her Gods.

I vill ask about the vinter feast.

That didn’t sound promising. Emmerich cleared his throat and straightened himself. He didn’t want to look like a poor example. Toula was bright and charming. She talked a great deal. If he slacked in his engagement, she would probably think that he was dull.

But if I cannot come to the vinter feast… maybe ve could meet again. Somewhere else.

That seemed like a generous offer from a boy who did not enjoy leaving his doorstep.