Duskfire Glacier i'm just a guy with a boomerang

A limping gait broke the ground behind him, but Stratos did not turn his head to see if he could spot who followed him.

Could be a cougar. Could be a bear.

He hardly wished to turn even when a lilted voice called for him. But his parent’s teachings were hard to shake — and he did not wish to shake them. They were the one noble thing he had left to carry with him and so, he turned, slow but sure.

It was then he saw them both. Strangers, with nose and voices turned towards him. His gaze flickered briefly to the limping earthen man before turning to the woman who spoke. Dark and spun with a pretty array of golds, like sunshine.

He assumed they must have tracked him together.

What makes you think that? he asked with a crook of his brow. He was sure he looked like someone who wanted to be left alone to his misery. Hardly a face for adventure.